THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  ILLINOIS 

LIBRARY 


' 


UNIVERSITY  OF  H.UNOIS  LIBRARY 

MAY  *  5 


ANNALS  OF 
THE  CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB 

FOR  THE 

FIRST  FORTY  YEARS  OF  ITS  ORGANIZATION 
1876—1916 


COMPILED    BY 

HENRIETTE  GREENEBAUM  FRANK 
AMALIE   HOFER  JEROME 

~rrv  OF  UMNOIS  LIBRARY 

MAY   ' 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB 
CHICAGO 

1916 


1 1 1 t 


Copyright,  April  1916,  by  CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB 

All  rights,  including  the  right  of  translation 

and  reproduction,  are  reserved 


Prcoe  of 

(Camuanii,  JJrttitrr* 
Chicago,  SIIinoiB 


FOREWORD 

The  purpose  of  these  chronicles  is  to  acquaint 
members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  with  its 

.  growth  and  development,  and  to  recall  the  events  of 
former  years.  The  contents  of  this  volume  are  taken 
from  the  original  records  and  documents,  from  letters 
and  articles  concerning  the  work  of  the  Club.  The 
minutes  of  the  first  decade  are  given  in  detail,  in  order 
the  spirit  of  the  Club  may  be  fully  understood.  It 

ITwas  found  impossible  to  report  the  later  years  exten- 
sively, owing  to  the  continual  expansion  of  the  Club 
and  the  wealth  of  material  concerning  its  activities. 
The  excerpts  from  the  records  beginning  February, 
1876,  and  ending  February,  1916,  have  been  bound  in 

15  one  volume  for  future  reference.  This  volume  is 
accessible  to  members.  It  contains  many  reports  in 
full,  which  are  of  inestimable  value.  These  should  be 
made  available  by  publication,  as  they  evidence  the 
contributions  of  members  to  the  civic  and  cultural 
growth  of  the  community.  In  many  instances  the 
action  of  the  Club  in  later  years  was  clearly  fore- 
shadowed in  the  first  records. 


'  Humani  nihil  a  me  alienum  puto' ' 


Tloliiiug  sarn>b  and 


Ingaltg  mg 
in  tlte  (Hittraga  Human's 
OJlub,  9  mill  sustain  its 
0oob  mork  anb 
tie  reputation. 


LIST  OF  PRESIDENTS 

FROM    DATE   OF   ORGANIZATION 

Caroline  M.  Brown        ---___  1876-1879 

Julia  Holmes  Smith    ----___  1879-1881 

Helen  S.  Shedd      -  _  1881-1883 

Julia  Holmes  Smith    -  _  1883-1884 

Henriette  G.  Frank  -  1884-1885 

Leila  G.  Bedell  .        .  1885-1887 

Lucretia  M.  Hey  wood    ------  1887-1888 

Celia  Parker  Woolley  -  1888-1890 

Lucy  L.  Flower     -  .  1890-1891 

Julia  Plato  Harvey      -  -  1891-1892 

Sarah  Hackett  Stevenson          _____  1892-1894 

Ada  C.  Sweet  -  _  1894-1895 

Lydia  Avery  Coonley     -  _        _  1895-1896 

Elizabeth  H.  Ball       -  -  1896-1897 

Mary  C.  Remick  -  _  1897-1898 

Louise  Dickinson  Sherman  -  1898-1900 

Caroline  M.  Edwards     -  -  1900-1901 

Mary  Lewis  Matz      -  _____  1901-1903 

Ellen  M.  Henrotin  .  1903-1904 

Lula  Boone  Carpenter  _____  1904-1906 

Gertrude  B.  Blackwelder  -  1906-1908 

Marian  Burton  Upton  _____  1908-1910 

Nellie  Johnson  O'  Connor       _____  1910-1912 

Elizabeth  Bass   -  --.___  1912-1914 

Helen  Wooster  Cooley  ---___  1914-1916 


CONTENTS 


Portrait  of  Caroline  M.  Brown 

Foreword 

Club  Pledge  and  Motto 

List  of  Presidents 

Table  of  Contents 


Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter 
Chapter  VIII. 
Chapter  IX. 
Chapter  X. 
Chapter  XL 
Index 


I. 

II. 

III. 

IV. 

V. 

VI. 

VII. 


General  Introduction 
February,  1876,  to  October,  1887 
1887-1892  — Club  years 
1892-1894         "       " 
1894-1898         "       " 
1898-1900         "       " 
1900-1905         "       " 
1905-1910         "       " 
1910-1914         "       " 
1914-1916         "       " 
Financial  Contributions      - 


Frontispiece 

III 

IV 

V 

VII 
9 

23 
64 
103 
142 
183 
216 
246 
286 
328 

-  368 
379 


I  CHAPTER  I 

GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

The  forty  years  which  have  witnessed  the  birth  and  develop- 
ment of  our  Club,  have  seen  a  wonderful  growth  of  women's 
organizations,  devoted  to  mutual  counsel  and  to  the  fostering  of 
community  ideals.  The  growth  of  leisure  and  the  desire  to  use 
it  well,  the  extension  of  modern  means  of  lengthening  the  days, 
lessening  distance  apparently,  have  helped  the  cause  of  united 
action,  the  planning  of  unselfish  work. 

The  forty  years  of  our  club-life  have  not  been  penitential 
years  in  the  wilderness,  though  we  have  been  fed  with  the 
heavenly  manna  of  inspiration  and  instruction,  and  prepared  to 
enter  the  broader  land  of  civic  life  with  all  its  privileges  and  re- 
sponsibilities. It  was  said  of  a  lady  recently  that  "her  activities 
in  club  circles  have  not  been  extensive  because  of  more  serious 
interests." 

Can  there  be  anything  more  serious  than  trying  to  improve 
the  universe  ?  The  spirit  of  '76  animated  our  pioneers.  It  seemed 
as  advanced  in  76  to  belong  to  a  Club  in  the  eyes  of  many  good 
house-mothers,  as  it  would  in  this  day  to  run  for  State  Senator. 

Our  leaders  were  conscious  of  their  aims,  and  it  was  a  joy 
to  follow  where  they  led.  The  spirit  of  the  Club  was  a  desire 
to  enlarge  our  vision,  to  enable  us  to  share  in  the  wider  interests 
of  the  community,  to  do  our  share  of  the  world's  work;  we 
wished  to  prevent  wrong  and  harm  to  those  unable  to  help  them- 
selves, to  bind  up  wounds,  to  create  that  which  was  lovely,  to  take 
the  place  of  the  unsightly. 

Many  of  our  leaders  were  trained  women ;  some  had  been 
teachers,  others  were  following  the  profession  of  medicine,  some 
joined  us  who  were  lawyers,  others  had  reared  sons  and  daugh- 
ters, and  had  devoted  themselves  to  the  home  and  church  ex- 
clusively. Some  of  us  who  were  neither  teacher,  physician  nor 
lawyer,  but  simply  home-women,  quite  content  to  remain  within 
the  sphere  of  woman,  then  defined  as  limited  to  the  fire-side,  were 
timid  at  the  thought  of  venturing  out  of  the  lines  of  family  ties 

9 


10  ANNALS  OF  THE 

and  the  circle  of  friends,  which  we  had  inherited  and  acquired 
in  home  and  school, — it  seemed  a  daring  step  to  adventure  into 
club-land. 

There  was  no  waiting  list  of  hundreds  eagerly  seeking  to  be 
admitted  to  the  charmed  circle  to  share  whatever  burdens  might 
be  theirs  to  carry.  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Brown  says,  "the  Club  just 
grew,  put  out  its  branches,  shot  into  the  upper  air,  and  has  kept 
growing  ever  since.  There  is  everything  in  the  soil  and  little 
seeds  sometimes  make  the  biggest  trees." 

The  women  who  took  the  initiative  in  the  World's  Fair 
Congresses  were  trained  in  the  Woman's  Club,  the  Fortnightly 
and  kindred  organizations.  The  excellent  work  of  last  year  in 
the  Emergency  Bureau  and  the  Red  Cross  was  conceived  and 
carried  out  in  the  same  spirit  of  the  work  of  1893-1894,  when 
the  conditions  following  the  Fair  made  crowds  of  women  de- 
pendent upon  immediate  help  to  tide  them  over  a  desperate  situa- 
tion ;  the  Woman's  Club  then  organized  a  work  room  and  opened 
a  Model  Lodging  House  to  shelter  destitute  women  amid  good 
surroundings. 

The  spirit  of  hospitality  has  always  been  one  of  the  distin- 
guishing traits  of  the  Club.  When  members  were  few  in  num- 
ber, not  many  more  than  the  forty  immortals,  Mrs.  Caroline  M. 
Brown,  Mrs.  J.  D.  Harvey  and  others  invited  the  entire  Club  to 
luncheon.  The  spirit  of  hospitality  is  the  same,  but  the  numbers 
prevent  our  being  all  asked  at  the  same  time,  though  our  mem- 
bers spread  the  corners  of  their  tents  to  the  farthest  limit  In  1883, 
when  the  Club  was  young,  we  entertained  the  Association  for 
the  Advancement  of  Women  during  their  meeting  in  Chicago. 
Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe  was  the  President;  the  banquet  room 
of  the  Palmer  House  was  the  place  for  a  notable  gathering. 

Our  first  activities  were  the  formation  of  study  classes  in 
art  and  literature,  and  preparing  ourselves  for  these  classes  as 
though  we  were  at  school.  The  Club  became  the  mature 
woman's  college.  These  classes  served  a  two-fold  purpose — • 
they  brought  the  members  together  in  a  more  intimate  way 
and  stimulated  them  to  continue  to  give  attention  to  serious 
topics  of  study,  and  gave  a  feeling  of  solidarity.  Out  of  these 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  11 

attempts  at  widening  our  intellectual  horizon  and  our  apprecia- 
tion of  art  in  all  its  phases,  came  the  desire  to  share  with 
others.  There  were  no  hard  and  fast  lines  between  the  depart- 
ments, then  called  "Committees."  All  were  interested  in  the 
work  of  Philanthropy  and  Reform,  in  securing  a  night  matron 
in  police  stations,  in  looking  after  women  in  the  Insane 
Asylum,  in  helping  the  Education  Committee  maintain  its 
kindergarten,  and  later  in  contributing  toward  the  support  of 
Vacation  Schools.  The  establishment  of  a  scholarship  in  the 
Art  Institute  for  some  graduate  of  the  Public  Schools  called 
forth  much  energy,  and  the  raising  of  funds  for  mural  decora- 
tion in  the  McKinley  High  School  Assembly  Room  was  the 
work  of  several  years. 

The  founding  of  the  Protective  Agency  for  Women  and 
Girls  in  1886  was  a  great  step  in  advance,  and  some  of  those 
who  stood  at  the  cradle  of  this  beneficial  enterprise  are  still 
working  for  it,  though  it  is  merged  in  the  Legal  Aid  Society. 

Merely  a  roll-call  of  all  the  Club  activities  would  more 
than  tax  your  patience.  There  has  been  continuity  of  effort, 
not  merely  a  flitting  from  one  object  to  another.  We  have 
tried  to  cultivate  the  manly  virtues :  courage,  frankness,  perse- 
verance, and  to  add  thereto  as  many  womanly  qualities  and 
graces  as  nature  and  training  vouchsafed.  We  have  tried  to 
look  at  life  with  courage  and  to  keep  alive  our  enthusiasm. 

Through  the  growth  in  numbers  and  the  continuous 
efforts  to  be  of  use  in  the  community,  we  have  become  a 
recognized  factor  in  civic  work.  There  is  no  phase  of  life,  no 
relation  of  life,  no  activity,  that  has  not  been  touched  upon 
in  our  programs. 

The  amount  of  energy  that  has  gone  into  developing  the 
Club  would  suffice  to  run  a  city.  The  Club  has  tried  to  live 
up  to  its  motto.  Not  only  those  fortunately  placed  in  life 
were  its  care,  but  the  step-children  of  fortune,  those  who 
needed  mothering  and  guidance.  From  the  very  day  of  its 
inception,  it  sought  to  become  a  factor  for  civic  betterment, 
for  close  relations  between  the  home,  the  school  and  the 
community. 


12  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Could  all  the  words  uttered  here  of  instruction,  of  en- 
lightenment, of  research,  of  literary  value,  of  insight  into  the 
eternal  verities,  have  been  collected  into  permanent  form, 
what  a  treasure  our  Qub  would  own.  We  might  forget  the 
futile,  the  transitory.  Scholars,  artists,  poets,  philosophers, 
leaders  of  thought  in  every  field  of  human  endeavor  have 
graced  our  platform.  Music  and  pictures  and  arts  and  crafts 
have  been  a  part  of  many  programs,  and  a  sympathetic  under- 
standing of  nature's  gifts  has  been  sought  through  the  study 
of  forestry  and  gardens.  This  wealth  of  wisdom  and  eloquence 
that  has  been  given  to  the  Club  programs  need  not  discourage 
us.  Everything  worth  while  has  been  said,  we  must  only  try 
to  say  it  over  again  in  our  own  way ;  and  at  all  events,  we  may 
recognize  our  own  limitations,  yet  cultivate  the  hospitable 
mind.  The  retrospect  brings  many  dissolving  views,  merging 
into  one  another,  all  touched  with  the  high  lights  of  inspiration 
and  enthusiasm. 

The  Club  motto  is  "Humani  nihil  a  me  alienum  puto." 
When  Terence  wrote  the  line,  he  little  dreamt  this  winged 
word  of  his  would  come  to  stand  in  future  ages  as  the  fittest 
expression  of  an  association  reaching  out  in  every  direction 
of  thought  and  deed.  To  the  Roman  this  line  may  have  meant 
much,  to  us  children  of  the  twentieth  century  it  means  far 
more — our  sympathy  with  human  life  and  endeavor  and,  above 
all,  with  human  suffering,  has  grown  much  wider  and  deeper. 
Mrs.  Doggett  had  given  an  impetus  toward  organization  among 
women,  when  in  1873,  she  founded  the  Fortnightly.  The 
Woman's  Club  was  in  no  sense  a  rival  nor  an  imitator  of  the 
Fortnightly;  it  simply  sought  to  give  expression  to  all  the 
directions  of  women's  energy,  translating  the  power  that 
makes  home  attractive,  that  rears  the  children  of  the  family 
into  men  and  women  ready  to  take  up  the  burden  of  life, 
that  works  in  charities  and  philanthropies,  into  a  united  striv- 
ing towards  the  greatest  good  to  the  greatest  number,  besides 
the  benefit  accruing  to  the  individual  from  association  with 
others. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  13 

We  first  aimed  at  training  ourselves,  then  at  performance 
of  what  we  recognized  as  duties.  The  old  spirit  was  one  of 
courage  and  enterprises  as  well  as  the  new.  The  path-finders 
were  women  of  vision. 

We  cannot  estimate  the  influence  of  the  Club,  its  pro- 
grams and  its  work.  Many  carry  with  them  into  their  lives 
in  home  and  society  a  new  point  of  view,  a  broader  outlook, 
a  new  light  upon  vexed  questions. 

The  Open  Door  meant  for  many  the  open  door  to  golden 
opportunity,  to  know  better  books,  better  music,  to  feel  the 
cheer  and  radiance  of  simple  unostentatious  hospitality,  to 
know  fine  types  of  women. 

When  the  cup  of  tea  was  first  introduced  at  our  meetings 
it  did  not  mean  to  us  what  it  meant  to  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson, 
who  "with  tea  amused  the  evening,  with  tea  solaced  the  mid- 
night and  with  tea  welcomed  the  morning."  It  meant  to  us 
merely  a  reason  for  biding  a  wee,  either  to  discuss  the  pro- 
gram or  to  arrange  for  future  meetings.  Many  of  us  mute, 
inglorious  Miltons  who  had  not  the  courage  to  speak  our 
minds  before  several  hundred  in  formidable  array,  expressed 
our  humble  opinions  freely  over  the  tea-cups.  It  requires  no 
courage  now  to  join  the  Woman's  Club. 

In  the  early  days,  an  occasional  afternoon  was  devoted  to 
a  social  meeting,  to  which  we  brought  our  knitting  or  our 
embroidery,  in  the  past  winter  we  again  took  up  our  knitting, 
though  without  the  gay  insouciance  of  the  early  days.  We 
have  combined  the  salon  with  the  meeting,  and  have  greeted 
strangers  from  many  lands,  and  showed  our  interest  in  their 
literature  by  studying  their  mother-tongues. 

Will  the  youngest  member  of  our  organization,  trained 
and  educated  by  perfect  teachers,  in  college  or  university, 
accustomed  to  use  to  best  advantage  the  minutes  and  hours, 
that  spell  the  sum  of  human  life,  find  within  our  activities 
scope  for  her  energies,  incentive  to  use  her  leisure  in  accord- 
ance with  the  goal  she  has  set  herself?  We  believe  there  is 
a  task  for  every  member;  and  the  better  trained  she  is,  the 
better  will  she  perform  it,  and  add  to  the  sum  of  human 
achievement,  for  which  we  all  strive. 


14  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Our  great  gain  has  been  the  companionship  of  kindred 
spirits,  whom  we  might  never  have  known,  but  for  the  Club, 
an  incentive  to  help,  if  only  a  little  be  within  our  power, 
towards  the  great  work  of  improving  all  conditions  within 
city  and  state,  for  those  about  us  and  those  who  come  after 
us.  We  are  not  afraid  of  attempting  ever  greater  tasks. 

The  new  spirit  is  the  old  spirit  with  greater  scope  to  mani- 
fest itself ;  the  pioneers  blazed  the  path,  those  who  follow  rush 
along  the  paths  opened  by  them.  We  have  acquired  mo- 
mentum with  our  greater  numbers.  We  have  known  loss, 
through  the  passing  out  from  our  companionship  of  some  of 
our  leaders,  whose  knowledge  and  enthusiasm  inspired  us,  and 
who  illumined  our  way  by  their  light  and  leading. 

Some  of  us  have  lost  a  certain  amount  of  fireside  happi- 
ness within  our  four  walls.  This  loss  is  compensated  for  by 
the  vital  interest  that  comes  into  our  lives  through  the  work 
of  the  Club,  and  through  the  knowledge  that  each  one  can 
help  towards  the  fulfillment  of  the  ideals,  for  which  this  Club 
has  always  stood. 

We  do  not  claim  for  women  higher  wisdom,  nor  higher 
sense  of  justice  than  for  men,  but  we  do  claim  that  women  of 
leisure  and  culture,  animated  by  a  noble  desire  to  solve  some 
of  the  knotty  problems  leagued  to  us  by  the  past,  are  a  potent 
factor  for  good,  and  a  force  that  should  not  be  despised.  As 
Mrs.  Dilke  so  ably  set  forth  in  her  lecture,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Club,  women  in  conservative  England  are  allowed  to 
vote  on  school  questions,  and  are  placed  on  school  and  charity 
boards.  These  two  departments  of  government  concerning  the 
children  and  the  poor  and  sick  are  quite  in  keeping  with  the 
place  assigned  to  woman  in  the  social  economy  and  in  direct 
line  of  development  with  her  position  in  society  in  the  past. 
To  accomplish  good  in  our  crowded  cities,  we  need  the 
strength  of  organization;  the  individual  unaided  would  be 
helpless.  There  is  room  in  this,  our  city,  for  the  Woman's 
Club.  If  it  continues  to  be  animated  by  the  same  spirit  that 
has  distinguished  it  in  the  past,  it  cannot  fail  to  remain  an 
important,  useful  link  in  the  chain  which  binds  together  all 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  15 

those  who  strive  to  leave  the  world  better  than  they  found 
it.  The  above  is  taken  from  an  address  presented  by  Henriette 
G.  Frank  before  the  Club,  October  13,  1915. 

Requests  have  come  from  many  sources  for  information 
as  to  the  inception,  growth  and  development  of  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club,  its  function  in  the  community  and  the  value 
of  its  work.  In  response  to  these  requests  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  prepare  an  account  of  the  Club's  activities. 
Before  the  organization  of  the  Woman's  Club,  Chicago 
women  had  been  active  in  church  societies  for  religious  and 
philanthropic  work,  temperance  societies  and  in  literary  so- 
cieties, such  as  the  Friends  in  Council  and  the  Fortnightly. 
The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  brought  together  members  of 
many  different  groups  into  one  united  body,  aiming  to  secure 
the  highest  standard  of  individual  culture  and  of  service  to  the 
community. 

It  would  be  impossible  to  overstate  the  value  of  discipline 
required  by  the  habit  of  working  together,  the  submitting  of 
individual  will  and  judgment  to  the  decisions  reached  after 
full  and  free  discussions  of  momentous  questions  and  issues. 
From  the  habit  of  working  together  in  committees,  depart- 
ments, and  the  Club  as  a  whole,  many  have  received  the 
apprenticeship  which  has  fitted  them  to  fill  positions  of  public 
responsibility. 

It  has  broadened  the  views  of  women  and  has  tended  to 
make  them  more  impersonal  and  has  widened  their  sympathies. 
They  have  learned  to  assume  responsibility  outside  of  home 
interests,  and  to  consider  the  study  of  conditions  in  city  and 
state  as  an  extension  of  their  concern — constituting  as  they 
do  the  larger  home.  The  idea  of  practical  work  for  the  com- 
munity was  fundamental  in  the  minds  of  the  founders.  It 
required  several  years  of  concerted  action  to  prepare  the 
members  for  active  co-operation  in  practical  work. 

Caroline  M.  Brown  has  written  the  following  remi- 
niscences: "I  remember  saying  to  Mrs.  Clara  P.  Bourland, 
who  was  visiting  me  the  winter  of  1876,  that  I  did  wish  there 
were  a  club  of  women  in  Chicago,  not  so  much  for  mental 


\ 


16  ANNALS  OF  THE 

culture,  excellent  as  that  was,  but  to  take  up  the  live  issues  of 
this  world  we  live  in.  When  we  women  met,  we  generally 
fell  to  discussing  some  problem  of  life,  we  asked  advice  of 
one  another  and  learned  from  each  other;  why  could  we  not 
organize  that  zeal  for  information  and  all  profit  by  the  wisdom 
of  each?  We  were  no  longer  in  our  first  youth,  our  babies 
were  out  of  our  arms  and  their  bringing  up  was  past  the 
nursery  stage  with  its  insistent  claims,  while  their  future 
opened  wide  vistas,  where  we  needed  all  the  wisdom  we  could 
get.  Questions  were  coming  up  every  day  in  regard  to  the 
city,  the  country,  the  general  interests  of  the  community, 
upon  which  I  wanted  more  light.  'Why  don't  you  start  such 
a  club?'  said  Mrs.  Bourland.  'I  am  sure  you  could;  here  are 
many  who  would  be  glad  to  take  part  in  such  an  undertaking.' 
The  birthday  of  the  Club  was  February  17,  1876,  the  date  of 
organization.  The  subject  of  forming  a  club  was  mentioned  a 
week  before,  when  thirteen  of  us  met  at  lunch,  and  the  plan  of 
forming  a  woman's  club  was  discussed.  We  agreed  to  go 
home  and  think  about  it,  then  come  back,  each  bringing  a 
congenial  soul  to  whom  the  scheme  had  been  revealed  and  who 
found  herself  in  sympathy  with  the  general  purpose  proposed. 
"At  the  next  coming  together  we  organized  formally, 
agreed  to  have  four  committees,  upon  Home,  Education, 
Philanthropy  and  Reform,  thinking  that  timid  souls  who  feared 
that  woman  might  get  outside  her  sphere  could  surely  not 
object  to  serving  in  the  interests  of  home.  Mothers  would 
all  take  a  lively  interest  in  education ;  all  good  church  workers 
might  lend  a  hand  to  philanthropy,  and  the  unterrified  would 
gravitate  toward  reform,  which  looked  more  formidable  then 
than  now.  My  building  on  Erie  Street  was  the  first  of  what 
could  be  called  first-class  apartments  ever  built  in  Chicago.  I 
got  a  German  architect  to  superintend  the  business,  and  they 
were  something  of  a  curiosity  in  those  days  and  attracted  many 
visitors.  I  remember  exhibiting  the  place  from  garret  to  cellar 
once  a  week  at  ten  cents  a  head  for  the  benefit  of  the  Women's 
Club. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  17 

"From  the  first  inception  of  the  Club,  'united  effort  toward 
the  higher  civilization  of  humanity'  was  one  of  the  objects  of 
the  association  and  regarded  as  its  ultimate  purpose,  for  which 
the  mutual  sympathy  and  counsel  were  to  prepare  the  way. 
Before  outside  work  could  be  successfully  undertaken,  there 
was  necessary  a  welding  together  of  the  diverse  elements  of 
the  Club — the  growth  of  a  broad  tolerance  for  the  widest 
difference  of  opinion,  and  an  education  up  to  such  an  en- 
thusiasm for  humanity  as  could  make  our  work  wise  and 
thorough.  In  1876  or  '77  petitions  were  largely  circulated  and 
an  appeal  sent  to  Mayor  Heath  to  appoint  women  on  the  Board 
of  Education.  The  Club  is  a  daily  marvel  and  a  wonder  to  me. 
So  many  women  with  a  great  diversity  of  gifts  and  of  interests, 
all  working  loyally  together,  with  such  broad  freedom  of 
action,  yet  such  close  harmony  and  helpfulness,  all  for  each 
and  each  for  all.  It  has  done  the  most  wonderful  work  in  the 
state  and  city,  has  been  such  an  incentive  to  noble  striving, 
such  an  education  in  lofty  thinking  and  generous  acting." 

Until  November  7,  1877,  the  Club  met  at  the  homes  of 
members,  principally  at  Mrs.  Brown's.  November  21,  1877, 
was  the  first  meeting  in  rented  rooms,  No.  76  Monroe  Street, 
the  rooms  of  the  Chicago  Literary  Club.  The  Club  was 
incorporated  October  26,  1885. 

March  19,  1879,  members  were  warned  against  too  ex- 
clusive devotion  to  their  several  Committees,  and  the  need  of 
each  person's  assistance  was  urged  in  the  continued  growth  of 
the  organization  in  all  directions,  practical  as  well  as  aesthetic 
and  social.  In  1893  the  president,  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Steven- 
son, again  saw  danger  of  losing  unity  in  the  diversity  of  the 
Committees  of  splitting  up  into  small  Clubs ;  she  thought  we 
should  not  go  too  far  from  the  center.  She  urged  the  Com- 
mittees to  consider  the  question,  if  they  did  not  take  from  the 
interest  of  the  Club  which  would  thereby  lose  power  and 
prestige. 

The  first  calendar  contained  the  names  of  officers  and 
committees,  and  a  list  of  the  subjects  of  papers  without  the 
names  of  writers.  Suggestions  for  increasing  the  usefulness 


18  ANNALS  OF  THE 

of  the  calendar  came  from  various  members  from  time  to  time. 
Bibliographies  to  the  programs  of  study  classes,  and  later  the 
signatures  as  well  as  the  addresses  of  members  were  added. 

The  little  calendar  published  for  the  year  1880  shows  that 
the  Club  numbered  sixty-two  members;  the  topic  for  April  6, 
1881,  was  "Influence  of  the  Home  Upon  National  Character." 
Among  the  papers  given  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  Club  we 
find  the  following  topics:  "Our  Sister  Societies  and  What 
They  Are  Doing" ;  "How  to  Educate  Our  Boys" ;  "The  Dif- 
ference in  the  Muscular  System  of  Men  and  Women" ;  "How 
to  Lessen  the  Weight  of  Our  Social  Obligations";  "The 
Evolution  of  Marriage."  Mrs.  Hannah  Plummer  gave  a  beauti- 
ful picture  of  the  early  club  life  in  Chicago,  when,  as  a  member 
of  one  of  the  first  clubs  she  took  home  to  her  own  dinner  table 
for  discussion  the  topic  of  the  afternoon's  session,  and  with  her 
husband  and  children  enjoyed  the  program  over  again. 

Helen  C.  Peirce  suggested  the  name  "The  Chicago 
Women's  Club,"  which  was  adopted,  and  October  23,  1895, 
changed  to  "Chicago  Woman's  Club."  The  Club  motto  was 
suggested  by  Kate  E.  Tuley  at  an  early  meeting  of  the  new 
organization.  The  Club  colors  of  ivory  white  and  gold  were 
suggested  by  Mary  H.  Wilmarth  and  adopted  May  25,  1892. 

A  special  membership  committee  was  formed  in  the  Club 
year  1891-92,  the  Board  of  Directors  having  carried  the  work 
up  to  this  time. 

At  first  "honorary  membership"  meant  that  a  compli- 
mentary ticket  be  sent  to  one  who  had  given  valuable  service 
and  who  either  was  not  a  member  or  had  removed  from  the 
city. 

The  pledge  was  adopted  May  27,  1893,  as  follows : 

"Holding  my  membership  in  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  as 
something  sacred  and  worthy  of  unfailing  loyalty,  I  will 
sustain  the  Club  in  its  good  work  and  guard  its  reputation  as 
long  as  I  am  a  member." 

The  Club  pin  was  chosen  in  1893  from  a  design  made  by 
Mr.  Joseph  Twyman.  The  name  "Department"  was  substi- 
tuted for  "Committee"  in  1891.  In  1884  the  first  life  member- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  19 

ship  was  issued.  At  the  annual  meeting  in  1884  the  first 
printed  ballots  were  used,  and  the  calendar  first  showed  days 
and  hours  of  committee  meetings. 

The  first  Club  historian  was  appointed  May  21,  1883,  Mary 
Louise  Burrows,  who  as  Secretary,  was  asked  to  prepare  a 
sketch.  Again  in  September,  1888,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  prepare  a  history  of  the  Club,  composed  of  a  member  from 
each  of  the  Committees,  each  one  preparing  the  account  of 
her  own  Committee,  these  to  contain  reports  of  work  done  up 
to  the  time  of  the  annual  meeting  in  1889.  Celia  Parker 
Woolley  was  asked  to  write  the  preamble  to  the  history  as  a 
whole.  One  thousand  copies  were  printed.  A  sketch  of  the 
Club,  with  pictures  of  the  presidents,  was  prepared  by  Kate 
G.  Huddleston  for  distribution  at  the  World's  Columbian 
Exposition. 

A  communication  from  Mary  Lowe  Dickinson  was  read 
December  13,  1899,  asking  that  some  authorized  member  of  the 
Club  furnish  the  statement  as  to  the  origin,  achievements  and 
present  status  of  its  work  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Paris 
Exposition  as  part  of  the  exhibit  of  Social  Economy.  The 
matter  was  referred  to  a  Committee  consisting  of  the  Presi- 
dent and  two  Secretaries  and  the  two  Vice-Presidents.  Novem- 
ber 14,  1900,  the  attention  of  the  members  was  called  to  the 
history  just  published. 

The  History  Committee,  a  subcommittee  of  the  Library 
Committee,  in  1906  secured  autographs  of  nearly  all  the  Club 
presidents,  and  placed  them  with  the  file  of  calendars.  Many 
of  the  first  calendars  were  small  paper  leaflets  which  have 
been  put  in  a  scrapbook  and  bound  with  a  handsome  leather 
binding.  There  were  also  collected,  as  far  as  possible,  files  of 
reports  of  societies  auxiliary  to  the  Woman's  Club. 

An  inquiry  having  come  for  data  of  the  Club's  history  to 
be  placed  in  the  Yale  Sociological  Library,  the  Board  voted 
March,  1909,  that  the  request  be  granted  and  a  committee  of 
five  be  appointed  by  the  chair  to  forward  such  material.  June 
1,  1910,  a  committee  of  twelve  members  was  appointed  to 
compile  for  publication  a  history  of  the  Club. 


20  ANNALS  OF  THE 

From  the  beginning  all  Committees,  or  Departments, 
worked  together  for  the  objects  approved  by  the  Club.  We 
find  the  Education  Committee  contributing  to  the  Home 
Science  Bureau,  the  Home,  Art  and  Literature  and  other  Com- 
mittees working  together  for  the  Protective  Agency,  and  the 
Philosophy  and  Science  Committee  interested  with  the  others 
in  the  emergency  work  of  1893-1894.  This  unity  of  action  is 
clearly  shown  in  the  financial  statement  prepared  by  Alice 
Salisbury  Tracy,  which  appears  at  the  close  of  this  volume.  It 
does  not  give  account  of  all  contributions  made  by  the  Club 
or  Departments,  as  previous  to  1891  the  records  do  not  fully 
indicate  this  important  phase  of  the  Club's  work. 

The  Club  has  always  lived  within  its  income  and  has  never 
had  a  deficit.  The  officers  and  directors  managed  the  business 
affairs  of  the  Club  in  most  conscientious  manner  exercis- 
ing a  wise  economy.  The  policy  of  never  exceeding  its 
resources  was  established  in  the  beginning  and  has  continued 
ever  since. 

Grace  B.  Higbee,  in  her  report  as  treasurer  April  30,  1910, 
says :  "Those  of  your  members  who  willingly  devote  their  time 
and  thought  and  energy  to  ordering  well  your  business  affairs, 
serve  you  no  less  valiantly  than  do  the  most  renowned  of  our 
gifted  members  in  whom  we  all  take  just  pride.  Not  alone  for 
your  business  servers,  but  for  the  intimate  personal  welfare 
and  help  of  every  member  of  this  Club,  do  I  advocate  the 
establishment  of  a  Club  office.  Our  needs  have  grown  with 
the  Club  until  a  central  office  in  the  Club  rooms  seems  called 
for."  The  office  was  opened  June  1,  1910. 

As  the  number  of  meetings  increased,  the  Club  year  was 
shortened  and  meetings  of  the  Departments  and  Club  in  May 
and  September  were  omitted.  Occasionally  an  annual  meeting 
occurs  in  May,  as  it  is  held  the  Saturday  following  the  fourth 
Wednesday  in  April. 

We  quote  from  an  article  by  Bertha  Damaris  Knobe  on 
"What  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  Has  Done  for  Chicago," 
written  for  the  Woman's  Home  Companion,  March,  1907: 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  21 

"Several  years  ago  a  poor  father  carried  his  motherless  baby, 
ill  with  scarlet  fever,  from  one  hospital  to  another.  At  each 
one  he  was  turned  away  with  the  disheartening  statement, 
'Everything  taken/  and  the  shocking  result  was  that  the  little 
one  died  on  the  street  in  his  arms.  The  incident  aroused  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club,  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Plummer,  one 
of  its  members,  instituted  an  investigation,  which  proved  the 
utter  inadequacy  of  Chicago  hospitals  for  the  care  of  children — 
inadequate  as  to  number  of  beds,  the  quality  of  milk  and 
general  sanitary  conditions.  The  clubwomen  called  to  their 
aid  their  good  friends,  the  physicians,  and  the  outcome  was 
the  Children's  Hospital  Society,  with  Dr.  Frank  Billings  as 
president.  The  sequel  may  be  told  by  the  chart  in  the  office 
of  the  society,  which  every  morning  registers  the  one  hundred 
and  fifty  beds  for  children  in  the  various  hospitals  of  Chicago. 
The  nurses  in  charge  know  precisely  which  beds  are  vacant, 
and  can  give  directions  to  applicants  at  a  moment's  notice. 
In  two  years  it  has  handled  fourteen  hundred  cases.  Moreover, 
the  splendidly  equipped  Children's  Hospital,  a  separate  build- 
ing operated  in  connection  with  Cook  County  Hospital,  was 
the  recent  outgrowth  of  its  agitation. 

"As  the  Children's  Hospital  Society  found  the  milk  given 
to  poor  babies  dirty  and  disease-breeding,  the  Milk  Commis- 
sion developed  as  a  subcommittee.  They  established  a  labora- 
tory equipped  with  pasteurizer,  strainers  and  other  necessary 
apparatus,  and  from  six  distributing  points  dispense  milk  to 
the  poor.  At  first  it  was  given  free,  and  now  the  nominal  sum 
asked  covers  only  half  the  expense,  the  other  half  being  met 
by  subscriptions.  The  'individual  culture'  advantages  of  the 
Club  must  not  be  despised.  The  insidious  remark  that  'In 
Chicago  women  pool  their  intelligences  into  clubs  in  order  to 
understand  Browning,'  is  roundly  refuted  by  courses  of  study 
which  might  easily  make  a  modern  university  envious.  Each 
department  has  a  course,  bearing  on  its  special  activity,  and 
one  year  the  united  study  class  showed  its  scholarly  interest 
in  Chicago  by  a  course  on  'The  Needs  of  a  Great  City.'  Every 
eminent  specialist  in  the  country,  it  is  safe  to  say,  has  spoken 
before  this  Club.  In  other  words,  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
is  not  an  experimental  station  in  sociology,  but  a  finely 
equipped  training  school,  wherein  one  thousand  thinking 
women  absorb  the  knowledge  which  is  power — power  in  the 
civic  life  in  Chicago." 

It  has  been  the  custom  of  the  Club  to  extend  the  courtesy 
of  its  rooms  to  many  organizations,  season  tickets  to  wives  of 


22  ANNALS  OF  THE 

foreign  consuls,  wives  of  officers  at  Fort  Sheridan  and  of  the 
Department  of  the  Lakes,  to  residents  of  social  settlements, 
to  the  vice-presidents  of  the  State  Federation,  officers  of  the 
General  Federation,  and  guests  at  the  discretion  of  the  Board. 
The  Club  has  a  record  of  generous  hospitality  not  only  to 
distinguished  strangers,  but  to  its  own  members  to  whom  it 
has  always  offered  a  real  club  home. 

March  4,  1891,  Lucy  L.  Flower,  in  her  annual  address, 
says:  "We  should  be  large  enough,  unselfish  enough  to  be 
satisfied  with  results  by  whomsoever  obtained,  not  waste 
our  time  and  strength  for  an  absolutely  correct  apportionment 
of  the  credit  of  our  acts.  In  most  cases  the  means  by  which 
results  are  obtained  are  so  interwoven  that  a  true  division 
of  the  credit  to  be  accorded  to  each  would  be  impossible." 

Hundreds  of  women  have  gained  power  and  efficiency 
through  service  on  the  various  Club  committees.  The  Club 
has  encouraged  the  study  of  all  that  makes  life  more  worthy 
and  beautiful,  has  strengthened  true  civic  pride  and  has  given 
incentive  for  service  to  the  community.  It  has  done  much  to 
destroy  prejudice  against  the  organized  efforts  of  women,  and 
has  educated  women  themselves  to  higher  standards  of  public 
and  private  duty,  enlarging  the  sense  of  individual  responsi- 
bility and  strengthening  the  bonds  of  true  spiritual  fellowship 
in  the  world. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  23 


CHAPTER  II. 

FEBRUARY,  1876,  TO  OCTOBER,  1887. 

The  minutes  of  February,  1876,  record  the  first  steps  taken 
toward  the  organization  of  a  club.  The  following  extracts 
are  taken  from  the  original  minutes. 

"At  a  meeting  held  at  the  residence  of  Mrs.  Frank  B. 
Brown,  269  Erie  Street,  February  17,  1876,  there  were  present: 
Mrs.  Tuley,  Mrs.  Corneau,  Mrs.  Peirce,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Howe,  Mrs. 
Tilton,  Mrs.  Withrow,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Heywood,  Mrs.  P.  P.  Key- 
wood,  Mrs.  Furness,  Mrs.  Wilkinson,  Mrs.  Fry,  Mrs.  Dow, 
Mrs.  Shedd,  Mrs.  Burrows,  Miss  Raworth,  Mrs.  Harvey,  Mrs. 
Golay,  Mrs.  Adams,  Mrs.  Blackman,  Miss  Greeley  and  Mrs. 
Brown.  Mrs.  Brown  was  appointed  to  the  chair,  and  Mrs. 
William  C.  Dow  Secretary  protem. 

Mrs.  Brown  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting  to  be  the 
formation  of  a  society  or  club,  for  the  purpose  of  charity, 
philanthropy  and  culture,  and  all  subjects  of  a  similar  nature 
to  be  deemed  worthy  of  consideration. 

It  was  moved  and  carried  that  the  ladies  present  take 
the  necessary  steps  to  become  a  club.  The  Chair  appointed 
a  Nominating  Committee,  consisting  of  Mrs.  Blackman,  Mrs. 
Peirce  and  Mrs.  Fry.  A  discussion  on  the  name  of  the  Club 
followed,  but  was  left  to  the  decision  of  the  directors. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Nominating  Committee  presented 
the  following  names  for  officers  of  the  Club : 

President — Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Brown. 

Vice-Presidents — Mrs.  Helen  Shedd  and  Miss  Kate 
Raworth. 

Secretary — Mrs.  M.  Louise  Burrows. 
Treasurer — Mrs.  Fanny  J.  Howe. 

It  was  moved  and  carried  that  the  officers  named  be 
accepted.  The  President  appointed  a  committee  to  draw 
up  constitution  and  by-laws  to  be  presented  at  the  next 
meeting. 


24  ANNALS  OF  THE 

The  President  appointed  the  following  committee:  Mrs. 
Blackman,  Mrs.  Withrow,  Mrs.  Adams  and  Mrs.  Peirce.  It 
was  moved  and  carried  that  six  directors  be  chosen  by  ballot. 
Mrs.  Peirce,  Mrs.  Harvey,  Mrs.  Fry,  Mrs.  Wilkinson,  Mrs. 
Tuley  and  Mrs.  Dow  were  elected.  It  was  decided  to  hold 
the  next  meeting  on  Thursday,  February  24th,  at  269  Erie 
Street  at  10  o'clock." 

At  the  adjourned  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club, 
held  on  the  24th  of  February,  at  269  Erie  Street,  Mrs.  Brown 
presiding,  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Constitution  and 
By-Laws  was  read  and  submitted  for  approval,  each  article 
being  separately  discussed  and  voted  upon.  The  name  selected 
was  The  Chicago  Women's  Club.  The  membership  fee  was 
five  dollars  a  year.  It  was  moved  and  carried  that  all  wishing 
to  become  members  of  the  Club  under  said  constitution  and 
by-laws  should  signify  their  intention  by  giving  their  names 
and  residences.  The  following  names  were  given,  after  which 
the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  second  day  of  March: 
Mrs.  Charles  Adams,  Mrs.  Thomas  Burrows, 

Mrs.  C.  M.  Blackman,  Mrs.  William  C.  Dow, 

Mrs.  D.  E.  Corneau,  Mrs.  Jules  Golay, 

Mrs.  C.  W.  Fry,  Miss  L.  M.  Greeley, 

Mrs.  W.  E.  Furness,  Mrs.  F.  S.  Heywood, 

Mrs.  J.  D.  Harvey,  Mrs.  Frank  Howe, 

Mrs.  P.  P.  Heywood,  Miss  Kate  Raworth, 

Mrs.  L.  H.  Peirce,  Mrs.  Lucian  Tilton, 

Mrs.  Helen  S.  Shedd,  Mrs.  John  Wilkinson, 

Mrs.  Murray  F.  Tuley,  Mrs.  T.  F.  Withrow. 

Mrs.  F.  B.  Brown, 

At  the  meeting  of  March  23,  1876,  a  report  of  the  Direc- 
tors' meeting  was  read,  which  presented  the  work  which  was 
to  occupy  the  members  of  the  Club.  This  work  was  divided 
into  four  subjects,  or  heads,  and  the  following  committees 
were  appointed :  Committee  on  Home,  Mrs.  Adams,  chair- 
man; Committee  on  Education,  Mrs.  Blackman,  chairman; 
Committee  on  Philanthropy,  Mrs.  Tilton,  chairman;  Com- 
mittee on  Reform,  Mrs.  Shedd,  chairman.  It  was  voted  that 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  25 

each  committee  should  furnish  the  essays  and  subjects  for  dis- 
cussion for  one  month,  that  any  member  of  the  Club  might  be 
asked  or  could  volunteer  to  serve  on  any  committee  other  than 
the  one  to  which  she  was  appointed. 

At  a  meeting  held  on  March  16,  at  269  Erie  Street,  Mrs. 
Emma  S.  Adams  read  an  essay  on  "Domestic  Science."  A 
discussion  followed,  in  which  all  took  part.  The  day  being 
very  stormy,  the  attendance  was  small,  and  it  was  therefore 
moved  that  Mrs.  Adams  repeat  her  essay  at  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Club.  Even  at  that  early  date  Mrs.  Adams  suggested 
that  "schools  may  begin  the  work  that  will  furnish  well- 
trained  servants,  but  this  training  can  only  be  finished  in  our 
homes;  and  only  by  patience,  firmness,  good  management, 
kind  instructions  and  long  suffering  can  the  present  state  of 
domestic  service  be  reformed." 

The  following  paragraph  is  copied  from  the  Secretary's 
record  of  the  same  date:  "Mrs.  Wilkinson  then  read  an 
article  entitled  'The  Queen  of  the  Home,'  which  set  forth  very 
clearly  that  the  art  of  good  housekeeping  did  not  die  with 
our  grandmothers ;  that  the  assertion  so  often  made  that  with 
all  the  machinery  to  facilitate  labor,  not  half  as  much  is 
accomplished  is  untrue,  inasmuch  as  the  demands  upon  the 
American  woman  of  today  are  so  much  greater  than  they 
were  a  half  century  ago;  that  with  the  varied  requirements 
of  the  wife  and  mother,  taken  in  comparison  with  those  to 
which  reference  had  been  made,  the  wonder  is  that  so  much 
can  be  accomplished.  Those  girls  who  can  do  Euclid  best 
made  the  best  housekeepers,  wives  and  mothers.." 

On  April  20,  1876,  a  discussion  took  place  in  regard  to  the 
retention  of  the  essays  in  the  archives  of  the  Club.  It  was 
decided  that  those  who  were  willing  to  give  them  to  the  Club 
should  do  so,  but  those  who  were  not,  shall  make  known  the 
fact  to  the  Secretary,  who  shall  in  that  case  make  a  clear 
and  concise  report  of  those  essays,  to  be  retained  on  the  pages 
of  the  journal. 

Mrs.  Tuley  then  read  an  essay  upon  the  "Kindergarten 
System  of  Education,"  showing  very  clearly  and  forcibly  that 


26  ANNALS  OF  THE 

this  method  is  the  only  true  one  for  the  proper  training, 
physically,  mentally  and  morally  of  young  children.  The 
paper  is  now  the  property  of  the  Club.  Mrs.  Tuley  also  read 
an  interesting  letter  from  Mrs.  Putnam,  a  kindergartner  and 
trainer  of  teachers.  Mrs.  Blackman  read  an  article  entitled, 
"A  Summer  Kindergarten  in  the  Open  Air."  A  discussion  on 
the  co-education  of  the  sexes  followed. 

The  program  of  June  1,  1876,  consisted  of  a  report  of  the 
Unity  Church  Industrial  School,  by  Mrs.  Laura  S.  Wilkin- 
son ;  a  report  of  the  school  in  connection  with  the  House  of  the 
Good  Shepherd,  by  Mrs.  Fanny  J.  Howe;  a  report  of  the 
Refuge,  by  Mrs.  Kate  E.  Tuley;  an  account  of  a  visit  to  the 
Home  for  the  Friendless  and  the  Burr  Industrial  School,  by 
Mrs.  Lucretia  J.  Tilton. 

On  October  5,  1876,  Mrs.  Helen  C.  Peirce  read  a  paper 
illustrating  the  theory  that  life  is  so  severe,  that  any  training 
which  overlooks  or  underrates  the  necessity  for  better  think- 
ing and  wiser  living  does  not  answer  the  demands  of  the  times. 
On  October  19,  1876,  it  was  voted  that  after  a  topic  was  an- 
nounced for  discussion,  the  presiding  officer  should  join  in  the 
discussion. 

December  7,  1876,  the  President  informed  the  Club  that 
she  had  had  a  communication  from  Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe, 
saying  she  would  like  to  deliver  a  lecture  under  the  auspices 
of  our  Club.  The  subject  was  discussed,  the  decision  being 
that  Mrs.  Howe  should,  at  a  time  convenient  to  herself,  deliver 
a  parlor  lecture  under  the  auspices  of  The  Women's  Club. 
This  lecture  was  given  January  17,  1877. 

Greetings  were  sent  December  21,  1876,  from  the  Boston 
Saturday  Union  to  The  Chicago  Women's  Club  with  invita- 
tion to  visit  the  Union  when  any  member  visited  Boston. 
Similar  greetings  and  invitations  were  sent  from  this  Club 
to  the  Boston  Union.  Mrs.  Clara  W.  Fry  then  read  "extracts 
concerning  the  experiences  of  different  professors  of  colleges 
upon  the  co-education  of  the  sexes.  The  subject  was  then 
earnestly  and  zealously  discussed  in  all  its  bearings." 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  27 

On  January  4,  1877,  Mrs.  Ellen  Mitchell  gave  a  full 
account  of  the  work  in  which  she  was  interested,  the  reforma- 
tion of  fallen  women.  An  appeal  was  made  to  the  ladies  on 
behalf  of  the  great  necessity  of  establishing  an  industrial 
bureau  where  those  in  charge  might  become  responsible  for 
reformed  women,  after  suitable  homes  were  found  for  them. 

On  January  18,  1877,  the  President  read  a  memorial  to 
the  Queen  of  England  asking  for  the  reasons  set  forth 
therein  that  she  protest  against  the  legalizing  of  the  social 
evil.  At  the  President's  request  Mrs.  Fry  read  the  speech  of 
John  Bright,  given  before  the  House  of  Commons,  on  "The 
Contagious  Diseases  Act." 

On  February  1,  1877,  the  Literary  Bureau  gave  an  invita- 
tion to  the  Club  to  meet  Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe  and  Mrs. 
Mary  A.  Livermore  at  the  Sherman  House,  at  3  o'clock,  on 
February  2.  The  invitation  was  accepted  with  thanks.  The 
President  then  invited  the  Club  to  her  home  on  Saturday, 
February  4,  to  listen  to  the  reading  of  a  paper  on  "Paternity" 
by  Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe.  This  was  followed  by  a  paper  on 
"Dress  Reform"  by  Miss  Raworth. 

On  February  15,  1877,  Mrs.  Blackman  invited  the  Club 
to  lunch,  on  the  following  Thursday.  Mrs.  Burrows  read  a 
paper  showing  that  mothers  are  the  true  reformers;  that 
home  and  society  are  generally  what  women  make  them ;  that 
woman's  great  power  lies  in  the  moral  and  religious  world,  and 
not  at  the  ballot  or  forum.  The  writer  alluded  to  the  present 
system  of  education,  and  thought  that  character  and  soul- 
culture  were  of  more  importance  than  purely  intellectual 
attainments.  A  discussion  followed,  the  ladies  concurring 
with  the  writer  in  some  of  the  sentiments  expressed,  while  in 
others  they  entirely  and  unanimously  disagreed. 

The  first  annual  report  of  the  Club,  March,  1877,  states: 
"The  Chicago  Women's  Club  was  organized  on  the  17th  of 
February,  1876,  with  twenty-one  members,  a  board  of  six 
directors  and  five  officers.  There  is  now  a  membership  of 
twenty-nine  besides  two  honorary  members  and  five  names 
that  have  been  proposed  and  accepted  by  the  Board  of  Direc- 


28  ANNALS  OF  THE 

tors.  Nineteen  regular  meetings  of  the  Club  have  been  held ; 
two  Club  lunches ;  one  lecture,  and  three  invitations  as  a  Club, 
to  meet  distinguished  visitors  from  abroad.  There  have  been 
nine  original  papers  read.  We  have  had  in  all  thirty-two 
guests."  This  is  followed  by  the  membership  roll-call  and  the 
record  of  the  number  of  times  each  member  was  absent  from 
meetings.  The  Treasurer's  report  showed  a  balance  of  $161.50. 

On  March  1,  1877,  it  was  voted  that  "the  regular  meetings 
of  the  association  shall  be  on  the  first  and  third  Wednesdays 
of  each  month,  at  2 :30  o'clock  p.  m." ;  and  "that  the  directors 
shall  meet  regularly  on  the  second  Wednesday  of  each  month 
at  2:30  o'clock  p.  m.,  five  to  constitute  a  quorum."  At  the 
meeting  of  the  Board,  held  March  14,  1877,  a  motion  was 
carried  that  names  presented  for  membership  must  be  voted 
for  by  ballot,  and  that  each  name  must  receive  a  two-thirds 
vote  in  order  to  be  elected.  It  was  also  voted  that  the  chair- 
men of  the  different  committees  be  appointed  from  the  Board 
of  Directors. 

April  18,  1877,  "The  subject  of  supplying  by  women 
vacancies  about  to  occur  in  the  Board  of  Education  was  dis- 
cussed. It  was  finally  moved  and  carried  that  the  President 
of  the  Club  shall  be  president  of  a  board  of  three  to  appoint 
outside  members,  whose  duty  it  will  be  to  select  women  whose 
names  shall  be  presented  to  the  Superintendent  and  Board  of 
Education  for  action  thereon."  The  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee to  wait  upon  the  Mayor  in  regard  to  the  appointment 
of  women  to  fill  the  vacancies  about  to  occur  upon  the  school 
board  reported  May  2,  1877,  that  they  had  had  an  interview 
with  the  Mayor,  and  that  he  thought  favorably  of  the  proposi- 
tion. The  names  of  several  women  to  be  presented  to  the 
Mayor,  who  were  thought  eligible  for  the  position,  were  pro- 
posed. It  was  deemed  advisable  to  solicit  the  influence  of  the 
present  members  of  the  Board,  and  also  that  of  other  men 
who  were  thought  to  have  influence  with  the  Mayor.  The 
President  read  the  petition  which  was  to  be  sent  to  the  Mayor, 
after  it  had  been  signed  by  a  few  men  of  influence.  June  27, 
1877,  Mrs.  Brown  made  a  full  and  interesting  report  of  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CUJB  29 

visit  of  the  committee  to  the  Mayor  and  the  presentation  of 
the  petition  for  women  on  the  Board  of  Education. 

On  May  2,  1877,  it  was  voted  that  the  "Secretary  purchase 
a  book  to  be  called  the  Register  of  The  Chicago  Women's 
Club,  and  that  she  write  therein  the  names  and  addresses  of 
all  members  of  the  Club,  and  that  the  register  be  kept  in  the 
Club  rooms  open  for  inspection  of  the  members."  This  book 
is  still  among  the  possessions  of  the  Club.  May  16,  1877,  it 
was  announced  by  the  President  that  during  the  summer  the 
chairman  of  each  committee  should  prepare  a  list  of  subjects 
for  the  year  commencing  in  October,  said  list  to  be  printed. 
On  June  6,  1877,  a  paper  was  read  on  "Possible  Improvements 
in  the  Public  Schools." 

June  27,  1877,  a  meeting  of  the  Directors  was  called  for 
the  purpose  of  receiving  from  the  chairmen  of  the  several  com- 
mittees a  fully  prepared  list  of  subjects  of  essays  for  the 
coming  year.  It  was  decided  by  vote  that  the  subjects  of 
essays,  with  date  of  reading,  the  names  of  the  Officers  and 
Directors  of  the  Club,  and  the  names  of  the  members  forming 
each  committee  should  be  arranged  by  the  Secretary  in  proper 
order  for  printing.  A  subcommittee  was  appointed  whose 
office  it  should  be  to  solicit  papers  from  the  members  of  the 
different  committees,  to  be  known  as  the  Art  and  Literature 
Committee. 

October  3,  1877,  the  Committee  on  Organization  of  the 
Illinois  Social  Science  Association  requested  that  delegates  be 
sent  from  the  Women's  Club  to  the  Congress,  which  would 
convene  in  this  city  on  the  4th  and  5th  of  the  current  month. 
It  was  decided  that  Mrs.  Burrows,  as  Secretary,  should  submit 
a  report  of  the  object,  aims  and  work  of  the  Club.  This  was 
the  first  history  of  the  Club. 

Mrs.  Celia  Parker  Woolley  read  a  paper  on  "Woman's 
Relation  to  Church  and  State"  at  the  meeting  of  October  3, 
1877,  and  at  the  following  meeting  on  October  17,  Mrs. 
Callendar  read  from  a  report  on  Prison  Reform,  made  by  Dr. 
E.  C.  Wines,  before  the  convention  at  Newport.  Mrs.  Ellen 


30  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Mitchell  read  selections  from  an  address  advocating  indefinite 
sentence  for  criminals. 

On  November  7,  1877,  the  President  stated  to  the  Club 
what  had  been  done  in  regard  to  rooms>  and  announced  the 
decision  of  the  Directors  to  be  that  the  Club  would  hereafter 
meet  in  the  rooms  of  the  Literary  Club,  at  76  Monroe  Street. 
On  December  19,  1877,  Mrs.  Jennie  G.  Withrow  read  a  paper 
on  "Free  Trade,"  by  Mr.  Alfred  B.  Mason.  The  program  of 
the  first  years  is  given  in  detail  in  order  to  show  the  tendency 
of  the  Club  from  the  very  beginning  to  study  the  great  questions 
of  the  day. 

On  January  9,  1878,  the  following  was  enacted  as  a  rule  of 
the  Board :  "The  name  of  a  candidate  shall  be  presented  at  a 
regular  meeting  and  voted  upon  at  a  subsequent  meeting." 
The  growing  formality  in  method  is  indicated  by  this  rule. 

The  topic  of  the  meeting  of  January  16,  1878,  was  "Rela- 
tion of  Women  to  Philanthropic  Work,"  presented  by  Mrs. 
Ellen  Mitchell.  On  February  6,  1878,  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett 
Stevenson  read  a  paper  on  the  "Co-Education  of  the  Sexes  in 
Medicine." 

February  20,  1878,  two  papers  were  read.  The  first  was 
an  introductory  paper  on  Sociology,  by  Mrs.  Burrows,  and 
the  other  upon  Primitive  Ideas,  by  Miss  Howells,  both  papers 
being  intended  as  a  review  of  parts  of  Herbert  Spencer's  work 
on  Sociology. 

March  6,  1878,  the  annual  report  states:  "Today  brings 
us  to  our  second  annual  meeting,  and  those  who  have  watched 
and  who  have  been  familiar  with  its  workings  from  its 
organization  must  be  well  satisfied  with  its  progress,  and  I 
am  quite  sure  that  each  one  feels  that  it  has  been  of  personal 
advantage  to  her.  Some  of  us  have  today  clearer  ideas  and 
broader  views  upon  many  subjects  than  we  had  two  years 
ago.  And  the  spirit  of  harmony,  peace  and  good-will  that 
exists  among  the  officers  and  members  is  indicative  of  the  fact 
that  patience  and  forbearance  have  been  called  into  requisition, 
and  have  been  conquerors.  As  the  Club  increases  in  numbers 
we,  the  old  members,  should  be  watchful  of  ourselves,  that 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  31 

the  same  spirit  of  kindliness  which  now  exists  may  be  fostered 
and  extended  to  the  new  members,  and,  above  all  things  else, 
let  us  be  watchful  that  we  exercise  charity,  not  only  in  speech 
but  in  thought,  towards  all,  remembering  that  one  of  the 
purposes  of  our  Club  is  to  help  each  other.  Thirty-six  mem- 
bers have  been  admitted  to  the  Club  during  the  year,  making 
a  membership  of  sixty-five.  There  have  been  eleven  papers 
written  by  members  of  the  Club."  The  Treasurer's  report 
was  read  and  accepted.  Mrs.  Edwin  Blackman  made  a  motion, 
which  was  carried,  that  the  President  should  appoint  a  com- 
mittee of  two  to  audit  the  Treasurer's  account.  The  Treas- 
urer reported  a  balance  on  hand  of  $335.10.  The  four  Com- 
mittees adjourned  to  the  different  rooms  to  appoint  each  its 
own  chairman  and  one  director,  the  Club  having  previously 
voted  that  the  directors  should  be  thus  elected. 

The  following  item  is  taken  from  the  third  year  of  the 
Club's  records:  "On  March  13,  1878,  the  Directors  voted  to 
form  a  new  committee  to  be  called  the  Committee  on  Art  and 
Literature."  It  was  originally  a  subcommittee  of  the  Home 
Committee  and  had  but  three  members,  serving  as  a  program 
committee  to  the  entire  Club.  The  new  Art  and  Literature 
Committee  started  with  eight  members — Rebecca  Rice,  Theo- 
dora Howells,  Henriette  G.  Frank,  Hannah  Greenebaum,  Mrs. 
Edward  E.  Kimball,  Mrs.  George  Woodward  and  Mrs.  A.  W. 
Woodward,  and  Kate  Raworth,  who  was  chairman.  This  com- 
mittee was  the  first  to  form  a  class  for  study.  At  its  first 
meeting  a  course  of  study  was  decided  upon  and  regular 
meetings  arranged  for,  at  which  each  member  presented  a 
paper  on  the  subject  for  the  day.  These  meetings  were  for 
some  time  held  at  the  homes  of  the  members.  Miss  Raworth 
suggested  that  the  Committee  be  a  study  class,  and  im- 
mediately recruits  from  other  committees  were  gained.  Mrs. 
Frank  was  the  second  chairman  of  the  new  Committee.  The 
following  paragraphs  are  taken  from  her  report  made  to  the 
Club  many  years  later: 

"The  first  winter  we  met  every  Monday  and  studied  the 
history  of  sculpture.     The  two  following  winters  we  studied 


32  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  history  of  painting.  Then  two  winters  were  devoted  to 
the  history  of  German  literature;  the  second  year  was  de- 
voted mainly  to  Goethe.  The  following  year  the  class  took 
up  the  history  of  Greek  literature;  then  followed  French 
literature.  The  class  met  every  fortnight  during  the  two 
winters  given  to  French  literature.  In  1887  and  1888  the 
class  studied  the  history  of  architecture.  Henriette  G.  Frank 
led  the  class  in  the  study  of  the  history  of  art,  of  Greek  litera- 
ture and  German  literature,  and  was  class  leader  during  six 
years.  Nellie  Halsted  and  Laura  H.  Clark  led  the  class  in  the 
history  of  French  literature,  and  Julia  P.  Shreve  in  the  history 
of  architecture.  For  many  years  the  Art  and  Literature  Com- 
mittee was  the  only  committee  that  held  meetings  in  addition  to 
the  regular  meetings  of  the  Club.  The  Committee  presented 
several  musicales,  one  in  the  rooms  at  15  Washington  Street,  one 
in  the  Club  rooms  at  the  Art  Institute,  now  the  Chicago  Club, 
and  one  following  Mrs.  Pratt's  paper  on  "German  Myths  in 
Music." 

Kate  Raworth  Holmes  wrote  of  the  early  programs : 
"Glancing  at  the  subjects  of  those  early  studies,  we  find  them 
not  unworthy  of  the  first  decade.  The  history  of  art,  ancient 
sculpture,  temples  and  monuments,  the  Greek  period,  life  of 
Michael  Angelo,  history  of  painting,  et  cetera.  Among  the 
papers  written  for  the  Club  we  find  'Oriental  Sculpture,'  by 
Theodora  Howells.  Rebecca  Rice,  a  valued  member  of  the 
Club  since  1877,  gave  scholarly  and  beautiful  essays  on  'The 
Philosophy  of  Art,'  'Greek  Tragedies'  and  'Goethe.'  Mrs. 
Frank  wrote  two  papers  on  'Grecian  Sculpture'  and  the  'Greek 
Drama';  Mida  W.  Rowland  on  'Greek  Heroines';  Mrs.  Enoch 
Root,  'Parallels  of  Greek  and  Modern  Life';  Caroline  M. 
Brown,  'Primitive  Art';  Caroline  K.  Sherman,  'Influence  of 
Germany  on  Modern  Thought,'  'Dante'  and  'Spinoza' ;  Ella  W. 
Hayden,  'The  Nibelungen  Lied';  Mary  Louise  Burrows,  'In- 
fluence of  French  Women  in  Polities';  Mrs.  G.  E.  Marguerat, 
'The  French  Drama.' " 

On  March  20,  1878,  Mrs.  A.  W.  Woodward  read  a  paper 
on  "Painting,"  and  at  the  following  meeting  Mrs.  Henry 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  33 

Strong  discussed  "How  to  Bring  Up  Our  Girls."  At  a  Direc- 
tors' meeting,  held  April  10,  it  wa's  voted  that  each  of  the 
five  Committees  should  furnish  a  paper  in  the  following  order : 
Home,  Education,  Art  and  Literature,  Philanthropy  and  Re- 
form. On  April  17  it  was  voted  that  we  take  rooms  at  the 
Grand  Pacific  Hotel.  At  this  meeting  Kate  E.  Tuley 
read  a  paper  on  "The  Governmental  Factor  in  Education." 
The  Club  continued  its  meetings  until  the  fourth  Wednesday 
in  May.  November  6,  1878,  Dr.  Sarah  H.  Stevenson  discussed 
the  "Physiological  Basis  of  Education."  The  principal  busi- 
ness of  a  meeting  of  the  Directors,  held  November  13,  1878, 
was  to  consider  the  changing  of  the  hour  of  the  social  meet- 
ings of  the  Club.  It  was  decided  that  the  hour  be  changed 
from  2:30  o'clock  p.  m.  to  12  o'clock  m.,  and  that  the  chair- 
men of  committees  make  arrangements  for  luncheon  at  that 
hour  to  cost  fifty  cents  per  plate,  to  be  paid  from  the  treasury, 
members  being  privileged  to  invite  guests  to  the  social  meet- 
ings by  paying  one  dollar  for  each  guest.  On  December  4, 
1878,  Mrs.  Sabin  Smith  presented  the  subject  of  "Heredity." 
At  the  following  meeting,  December  18,  Ella  W.  Hay- 
den  presented  a  study  of  "The  Morale  of  Boarding  Houses." 
An  interesting  discussion  followed,  participated  in  by  Miss 
Mary  E.  Eastman,  secretary  of  the  National  Congress  of 
Women,  who  was  a  guest  of  the  Club.  The  essayist  on  Janu- 
ary 2,  1879,  was  Laura  S.  Wilkinson,  and  her  subject,  "Sanitary 
Conditions  of  the  Home." 

On  January  8,  1879,  the  Club  considered  plans  and  prepara- 
tions for  the  evening  reception  to  be  given  by  the  Club  at  the 
Grand  Pacific  Hotel  on  the  22nd  of  January.  After  some 
informal  talk  in  relation  to  the  matter,  a  motion  was  made 
by  Mrs.  Burrows  and  seconded  by  Mrs.  Callendar,  that  the 
tickets  of  members  be  furnished  at  the  expense  of  the  treas- 
ury; tickets  of  guests,  fifty  cents,  each  member  being  limited 
to  three  guests.  A  member  who  was  present  on  that  occasion 
speaks  of  it  thirty-six  years  later  as  a  "wonderful  meeting." 

"Technical  and  Industrial  Schools  or  Labor  as  a  Factor 
in  Education"  was  the  subject  of  January  15,  1879,  presented 


34  ANNALS  OF  THE 

by  Mrs.  Sabin  Smith.     On  February  19  Mrs.  Frank  R.  Bart- 
lett  discussed  "Inconsistencies." 

The  third  annual  meeting  took  place  on  March  5,  1879, 
the  Club  numbering  fifty-one  members.  On  March  12,  1879, 
a  discussion  was  held  as  to  the  duties  of  members  and  privi- 
leges of  chairmen  in  writing  or  procuring  papers  to  be  read 
before  the  Club.  One  insists  upon  a  manuscript,  that  the  paper 
might  at  least  have  the  effect  of  originality ;  another  approved 
of  collated  matter  presented  verbatim;  still  another  would 
have  papers  from  outside  persons ;  and  the  feasibility  of  invit- 
ing authors  to  present  their  papers  was  discussed  at  length. 
The  Secretary  was  directed  to  make  a  sketch  of  so  important 
a  conversation  that  the  points  might  be  brought  up  at  a 
future  meeting.  On  April  9,  1879,  the  subject  of  papers  to  be 
presented  to  the  Club  for  the  ensuing  year  was  considered, 
the  discussion  resulting  in  the  following  informal  resolution: 
"That  properly  the  subject  was  one  for  the  various  chairmen 
to  consider,  and  that  they  be  held  responsible  for  papers — first 
for  original  productions  from  Club  members,  or  failing  that, 
they  should  be  privileged  to  seek  for  essays  outside  the  club." 

A  communication  from  Mrs.  Burrows  in  regard  to  fur- 
nishing a  sketch  of  the  Club  for  the  Carnival  Herald  was 
submitted,  and  Mrs.  Burrows  was  authorized  to  furnish  a 
brief  history  devoid  of  statistics  and  containing  mention  of 
only  the  Presidents  of  the  organization.  This  was  the  second 
history  of  the  Club.  On  May  2,  1879,  lists  of  books  were  pre- 
sented for  study  in  the  Committees,  and  the  Secretary 
authorized  to  enlarge  the  calendar  to  contain  these  lists. 

Hospitality  to  its  members,  in  the  form  of  luncheons, 
social  evenings  and  afternoon  gatherings  was  the  marked 
policy  of  the  Club  from  the  beginning.  On  March  28,  1879, 
it  was  voted  that  luncheon  be  served  at  1  o'clock  on  the  first 
Wednesday  of  each  month  for  the  Club  year,  to  be  followed 
by  the  regular  meeting  of  that  day  at  2:30  o'clock.  It 
was  resolved  that  the  officers  of  the  Club  be  in  charge  of 
the  luncheons,  and  the  Secretary  was  authorized  to  add 


CHICAGOIWOMAN'S  CLUB  35 

notification  of  the  luncheon  to  the  notification  of  the  first 
meeting  in  the  fall. 

The  fourth  year  of  the  Club  is  marked  by  further  growth 
in  the  formality  of  organization.  It  was  voted  by  the  Board 
of  Directors  on  October  8,  1879,  that  "No  person  can  properly 
belong  to  a  Club  committee  without  first  becoming  a  member 
of  the  Club."  This  ruling  shows  that  the  study  classes  of  the 
Club  attracted  many  outside  the  list  of  membership.  On 
December  10,  1879,  after  discussion,  it  was  voted  to  engage 
Parlor  O  at  the  Palmer  House,  arrangements  for  luncheon  to 
be  on  the  same  scale  as  at  the  Grand  Pacific  Hotel,  where 
former  meetings  had  been  held. 

On  March  3,  1880,  the  fourth  annual  report  was  read: 
"There  are  sixty-four  members,  the  largest  list,  save  the  year 
1877,  which  exceeded  the  present  by  one  only.  Of  these  there 
are  fifty-five  members,  one  honorary  and  eight  to  date  their 
membership  from  today.  During  the  past  year  there  have 
been  twenty-four  members  accepted,  of  this  number  one 
declined  the  privilege  and  three  have  made  no  official  response. 
There  has  been,  during  the  year,  the  largest  number  of  guests 
of  any  year,  sixty-one  guests  to  regular  meetings  and  six 
guests  to  luncheon.  This  is  a  majority  of  twenty-one  over 
the  next  largest  number.  The  average  regular  attendance  is 
twenty-six.  The  Treasurer's  report  shows  a  balance  on  hand, 
March  1,  1880,  of  $567.85." 

On  November  10,  1880,  it  was  resolved  that  during  the 
month  previous  to  the  annual  meeting,  the  chairman  of  each 
committee  shall  call  her  committee  together  for  the  purpose 
of  nominating  a  chairman  for  the  following  year,  said  name  to 
be  presented  by  the  committee  at  the  annual  meeting.  It  was 
also  resolved  that  the  Committee  on  Rooms  be  authorized  to 
advertise  for  a  flat  or  suite  of  rooms  suitable  for  club  use; 
the  location  of  such  rooms  and  the  disposition  or  subletting 
of  such  part  of  flat  or  suite  not  needed  by  the  Club  to  be  left 
to  the  discretion  of  the  Committee.  This  is  the  first  Perma- 
nent Rooms  Committee.  On  January  12,  1881,  it  was  voted 


36  ANNALS  OF  THE 

that  the  Secretary  at  each  meeting  appoint  a  doorkeeper  that 
the  meeting  may  be  safe  from  intrusions. 

The  annual  report,  March  2,  1881,  shows  seventy-four 
members,  an  increase  of  ten  over  the  membership  of  any  other 
year.  In  the  eight  months  there  had  been  twenty-three  mem- 
bers accepted.  The  number  of  guests  during  the  year  is 
sixty-eight,  a  larger  list  than  any  preceding  year.  The 
average  regular  attendance  was  thirty-one,  a  gain  sig- 
nificant of  a  steady  and  increasing  interest  in  the  methods 
and  workings  of  the  Club.  *  *  *  During  the  last  year  of 
the  Club  there  was  manifest  among  the  members  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Philanthropy  a  strong  desire  to  do  something  which 
should  make  them  a  Committee  of  Philanthropy  in  fact  as  in 
name.  Club  classes,  admirable  as  they  are,  extend  their 
advantages  only  to  women  of  such  social  and  financial  stand- 
ing as  would  render  it  possible  for  them  to  gain  admission 
to  the  Club.  The  Committee  of  Philanthropy,  while  desiring 
to  include  this  class  in  their  effort,  wished  also  to  reach 
women  less  fortunately  placed.  Their  chairman  called  a  meet- 
ing in  May,  1880,  at  which  various  plans  for  outside  work  were 
discussed.  That  receiving  the  most  favorable  consideration 
was  the  organization  of  a  society  for  the  diffusion  of  physio- 
logical and  hygienic  knowledge  among  women.  This  work 
being  largely  educational,  the  Committee  on  Education  was 
asked  to  co-operate,  which  they  heartily  agreed  to  do.  The 
call  for  a  general  meeting,  issued  by  the  chairmen  of  these 
committees,  finally  resulted  in  a  well-grounded  organization 
which  gave  promise  of  a  long  life  and  great  usefulness.  "Prob- 
ably it  has  already  accomplished  as  much  as  any  similar 
society,  and  with  less  demand  financially  upon  its  members  or 
the  public.  Its  hopes  to  have  a  library  and  necessary  ap- 
pliances for  fully  illustrating  lectures,  seem  to  be  in  a  fair 
way  of  accomplishment.  At  present  there  are  about  fifty 
members.  The  list  of  lecturers  embraces  the  best  medical 
talent  of  the  city.  The  committees  have  every  reason  to  be 
assured  of  the  success  of  their  effort,  and  members  of  the 
Club  at  large,  by  their  more  general  endorsement  of  it,  would 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  37 

do  well  to  show  their  satisfaction  that  it  originated  in  their  own 
Club." 

The  Woman's  Physiological  Institute  of  Chicago  was 
organized  under  the  auspices  of  The  Chicago  Women's  Club 
in  June,  1880,  in  co-operation  with  physicians,  among  them 
members  of  the  Club.  Its  purpose  was  to  disseminate  among 
women  greater  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  life  and  health.  The 
course  opened  with  a  lecture  on  "Our  Babies,  Hygiene  for 
Mother  and  Infant."  Another  lecture  was  on  "The  Germ 
Theory  of  Disease"  and  one  on  "Moral  Hygiene,  Physio- 
logically Considered."  The  last  course  was  given  at  Hull 
House  in  the  season  of  1892-93.  A  complete  set  of  the  reports 
of  the  Institute  may  be  found  in  the  Club  files. 

On  May  11,  1881,  the  chairman  reported  having  been 
offered  Parlor  O,  Palmer  House,  for  the  meetings  of  the 
Club.  A  motion  to  accept  this  offer  was  carried.  A  motion 
to  lease  the  same  parlor  for  the  meetings  of  the  Art  and 
Literature  Class  was  made  and  carried. 

On  February  8,  1882,  a  discussion  in  regard  to  the  ad- 
visability of  discontinuing  the  present  Club  committees 
resulted  in  the  following  motion  being  offered  by  Mrs.  Sabin 
Smith:  "The  present  Board  of  Directors  fully  indorse  the 
existing  committee  divisions  of  the  Club."  Motion  carried. 

The  sixth  annual  report,  presented  1881-82,  states :  "There 
have  been  fourteen  regular  meetings,  the  largest  attendance 
being  fifty-one,  the  smallest  twenty-two.  There  are  at  present 
eighty-eight  members,  twenty  of  whom  have  been  admitted 
the  past  year.  The  papers  have  covered  a  wide  range  of 
thought  and  have  been  of  more  than  ordinary  interest  and 
value.  The  discussions  have  been  confined  more  to  the  older 
members,  the  new  ones  seeming  fearful  of  lifting  up  their 
voices,  notwithstanding  the  urgent  solicitations  of  the  chair- 
man that  it  is  desirable  that  the  discussions  should  be  more 
general.  There  have  been  three  social  meetings.  A  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Mrs.  Sabin  Smith,  Mrs.  Shedd  and  Mrs. 
Burrows,  has  been  appointed  to  canvass  the  matter  with  a 
view  to  a  permanent  location  for  the  meetings  of  the  Club." 


38  ANNALS  OF  THE 

For  forty  years  the  Club  has  been  faithfully  served  by  similar 
Committees  on  Rooms  and  on  Permanent  Rooms,  who  have 
given  service  of  inestimable  value. 

On  April  5,  1882,  Mrs.  Blackman  moved  that  the  socials 
be  continued  during  the  coming  year  as  they  had  been  during 
the  past.  This  motion  caused  much  discussion,  both  for  and 
against  luncheons,  but  was  finally  put  to  vote  and  carried. 

On  May  10,  1882,  Mrs.  Sabin  Smith,  in  speaking  of  some 
of  the  work  done  by  women  in  the  city,  advocated  the  need  of 
a  woman  at  each  police  station  in  the  city.  At  the  conclusion 
of  her  remarks  Dr.  Bedell  offered  the  following  resolution: 
"That  we,  the  Women's  Club,  as  an  organization  and 
severally  as  individuals  tender  to  the  leaders  of  the  movement 
to  place  women  in  the  charge  of  women  prisoners  in  police 
stations  our  most  cordial  approval  and  co-operation."  The 
members  affixed  their  signatures  to  this  resolution  and  it  was 
sent  to  Miss  Frances  E.  Willard. 

On  December  6,  1882,  the  Philanthropy  Committee,  Mrs, 
Woolley,  chairman,  presented  four  papers  on  charitable  institu- 
tions and  "Associated  Charities."  Mrs.  Harvey  headed  the 
list,  having  for  her  subject  "Homes  for  Adults,"  wherein  she 
described  her  personal  observations  and  facts  gathered  at  the 
five  different  institutions  of  this  city  coming  under  that 
head.  The  next  paper,  written  by  Mrs.  Howe,  was  entitled 
"Institutions  for  Dependent  Children,"  and  contained  an 
account  of  the  writer's  visits  among  the  institutions  devoted 
to  educating  and  caring  for  orphans  and  foundlings,  the  in- 
dustrial schools  and  three  kindergartens.  Dr.  Bedell  followed 
on  "Hospitals,"  and  Mrs.  W.  O.  Carpenter  on  "Associated 
Charities,"  closed  the  list  of  papers.  Mrs.  Cleveland,  a  guest 
of  the  Club,  presented  the  cause  of  jails  and  prisoners,  dwell- 
ing largely  on  work  done  for  children  temporarily  confined  in 
jails,  and  concluding  by  urging  the  need  of  teaching 
foreigners  the  English  language. 

On  January  10,  1883,  the  following  motion  was  made  by 
Mrs.  Frank  R.  Bartlett:  "That  the  Recording  Secretary  be 
instructed  to  give  to  the  Club  a  report  of  each  Directors' 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  39 

meeting  at  the  following  regular  Club  meeting,  the  report 
to  follow  the  reading  of  minutes  of  the  preceding  regular 
meeting."  After  some  discussion  this  was  adopted.  On 
March  14,  1883,  the  Chair  appointed  a  Reception  and  Enter- 
tainment Committee,  consisting  of  Mesdames  Burrows,  Hen- 
rotin  and  George  E.  Adams.  On  May  9,  1883,  the  chairman 
of  the  Committee  on  Rooms  reported  that  the  Club  might 
continue  to  occupy  Parlor  O  at  the  Palmer  House.  It  was 
the  sense  of  the  meeting  that  it  would  serve  the  best  interest 
of  the  Club  to  secure  permanent  rooms  as  soon  as  possible  in 
order  to  sublet  the  rooms  to  other  societies  and  become  more 
than  a  mere  literary  society,  in  short,  to  become  more  prac- 
tical in  its  work. 

On  May  21,  1883,  it  was  voted  that  instead  of  the  usual 
Club  luncheon,  the  social  meeting  should  be  a  picnic,  to  be 
held  June  6.  The  President  read  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Jessie 
Bross  Lloyd,  inviting  the  Club  to  her  lawn  at  Winnetka. 
The  invitation  was  accepted,  and  it  was  voted  that  members 
should  have  the  privilege  of  inviting  guests.  At  the  same 
meeting  M.  Louise  Burrows  was  voted  club  historian 
and  requested  to  prepare  a  history  of  the  Chicago  Women's 
Club.  On  April  4,  1883,  the  President  read  a  letter  from  the 
Association  for  the  Advancement  of  Women,  accepting  the 
invitation  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  to  hold  the  next 
congress  in  Chicago. 

In  March,  1883,  Mrs.  Tuley  gave  a  paper  on  "The  Charity 
Kindergarten,"  and  offered  several  subjects  for  the  considera- 
tion of  the  Club  for  practical  work.  She  spoke  of  the  undue 
proportion  of  the  Club's  exercises  dealing  with  purely  literary 
interests.  On  November  7,  1883,  the  subject  of  free  kinder- 
gartens was  discussed,  and  it  was  voted  that  the  Board  of 
Directors  be  instructed  to  consider  the  feasibility  of  paying  a 
kindergartner  for  the  coming  season.  On  November  14, 
1883,  the  Directors  considered  paying  a  kindergartner 
for  the  ensuing  year.  It  was  not  regarded  as  proper 
for  the  Club,  as  a  whole,  to  undertake  this  work,  but  in 


40  ANNALS  OF  THE 

deference  to  a  strong  feeling  that  practical  work  should  be 
undertaken,  it  was  moved  "that  when  charity  work  of  any 
kind  is  proposed  to  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Women's 
Club,  the  subject  be  referred  to  the  committee  under  which 
such  work  properly  comes,  who  are  to  report  to  the  Club  by 
their  chairman."  It  was  also  voted  that  the  work  for  the 
advancement  of  the  Froebel  Kindergarten  Association  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee  on  Education,  that  the  chairman  be 
instructed  to  call  her  committee  together  to  take  what  action 
was  deemed  advisable. 

On  September  5,  1883,  a  special  meeting  of  the  Club  was 
ordered  for  September  12,  to  take  action  in  regard  to  the  banquet 
to  be  given  by  the  Women's  Club  to  the  Association  for  the  Ad- 
vancement of  Women.  The  President  and  Recording  Secretary 
of  each  of  the  organizations  named  were  invited:  The  Fort- 
nightly, Decorative  Art  Society,  Illinois  Training  School  for 
Nurses,  Woman's  Exchange,  Woman's  Physiological  Society, 
Women's  Christian  Association,  Women's  Christian  Tem- 
perance Union,  Channing  Club  and  the  Unitarian  Woman's 
Association.  The  banquet  was  given  to  the  Association  for 
the  Advancement  of  Women,  of  which  Mrs.  Julia  Ward  Howe 
was  President,  at  the  Palmer  House,  October  23,  1883. 

On  December  3,  1883,  the  topic  to  be  discussed  was  as 
follows:  "Shall  the  Club  Do  Practical  Work?"  The  Presi- 
dent made  an  address,  asking  the  members  to  consider  the 
important  subject  carefully.  Mrs.  Tuley  presented  a  plan  for 
securing  aid  for  the  Froebel  Kindergarten  Association,  which 
plan  was  that  ten  ladies  should  pledge  themselves  to  pay  fifty 
dollars  each  for  the  support  of  a  kindergarten.  These  resolu- 
tions were  presented: 

Whereas,  a  strong  desire  has  long  been  felt  by  a  large 
number  of  the  members  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  that 
it  should  become  a  working  organization;  and, 

Whereas,  the  desires  of  the  most  ardent  advocates  of 
practical  work  may  be  met  without  any  change  whatever  in 
our  present  organization,  nor  in  the  constitution  thereof,  nor 
in  the  committees  now  constituted;  therefore, 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  41 

Resolved,  That  we  become  an  active,  working  Club  in 
the  various  departments  which  our  several  committees 
represent. 

Resolved,  That  the  responsibility  of  such  work  be  assumed 
by  the  Club,  as  a  Club. 

Resolved,  That  in  undertaking  such  practical  work  it  is 
not  the  purpose  of  the  Club  to  become  a  charity  organization, 
but  rather  a  discoverer  of  the  best  methods  of  advancing 
humanitarian  principles,  and  of  helping  individuals  and  or- 
ganizations to  become  self-sustaining;  that  it  will  receive  and 
become  the  custodian  of  any  contributions  from  its  friends  for 
specific  purposes,  and  through  its  proper  committees  become 
responsible  for  the  judicious  use  of  moneys  thus  entrusted  to 
its  care. 

Resolved,  That  one  of  the  first  necessities  of  the  Club,  in 
order  to  become  a  working  organization,  is  a  permanent  home 
in  suitable  rooms,  open  at  all  hours  of  the  day  to  the  members 
of  the  different  committees  for  the  accomplishment  of  their 
proper  work;  to  the  Club  for  its  stated  literary  and  social 
meetings ;  and  to  the  classes  of  the  Club. 

Resolved,  That  the  Club  require  of  each  of  its  committees 
frequent  meetings  at  which  they  shall  develop  plans  for  prog- 
ress in  their  various  departments,  and  devise  means  for  the 
execution  of  such  plans,  and  that  at  every  annual  meeting 
the  chairman  of  each  committee  be  required  to  submit  a  writ- 
ten report  of  all  the  work  of  the  committee,  together  with  a 
statement  of  all  interesting  details  concerning  the  methods 
of  its  accomplishment. 

At  an  adjourned  special  meeting  Dec.  12,  1883,  the  Chi- 
cago Women's  Club  met  at  the  Palmer  House  to  continue  the 
discussion  of  the  question,  "Shall  the  Women's  Club  of  Chi- 
cago undertake  any  practical  work?"  There  were  forty  per- 
sons present.  It  was  voted  that  the  resolutions  be  adopted 
as  a  whole.  The  Treasurer  of  the  Club  was  instructed  to 
make  a  check  for  $100,  payable  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Froebel 
Association,  and  to  place  the  check  in  the  care  of  Mrs.  Kate 
E.  Tuley,  she  to  be  the  custodian  of  the  funds  raised  by  and 
through  the  efforts  of  the  Women's  Club  to  aid  in  the  sup- 
port of  the  Arnold  Street  Free  Kindergarten.  May  21,  1884, 
Mrs.  Tuley  reported  for  the  free  kindergarten  and  asked  that 
either  the  Club  or  the  Education  Committee  pledge  them- 


42  ANNANS  OF  THE 

selves  to  raise  the  money  necessary  to  pay  the  expenses  of 
the  school  for  the  coming  year. 

The  Club  report  for  1882-83  states:  The  only  departure 
from  the  literary  work  of  the  Club  has  been  in  a  resolution 
passed  in  May,  endorsing  an  effort  being  made  by  Miss  Frances 
E.  Willard  to  place  women  in  police  stations  for  the  care  of  the 
women  prisoners,  and  in  giving  one  afternoon  to  the  presentation 
of  reports  relating  to  philanthropic  and  charitable  work  done  in 
the  city. 

The  fact  that  there  was  no  night  matron  in  any  police 
station  was  considered  far  more  important  than  the  day 
matron.  By  private  subscription,  funds  were  raised  by  the 
Philanthropy  Committee,  and  a  night  matron  found  and  paid, 
till  the  city  was  ready  to  assume  charge, — a  term  of  several 
years ;  the  Committee  selected  the  matron,  the  sheriff  making 
the  appointment.  The  Jail  Committee's  first  visit  to  the  jail 
was  in  1883.  They  found  the  women  in  a  department  by 
themselves,  but  the  matron  stayed  only  until  4  p.  m.,  at  which 
time.  The  Jail  Committee  had  one  fundamental  idea:  When- 
ten  to  thirteen  years  of  age  were  left  with  hardened  profes- 
sional thieves,  all  awaiting  trial — sometimes  for  months  at  a 
time.  The  Jail  Committee  had  one  fundamental  idea :  When- 
ever the  State  took  into  its  custody  on  any  account  any 
woman,  she  should — whether  in  a  hospital,  asylum,  poorhouse 
or  prison — be  secluded  as  far  as  possible  from  men,  and  placed 
under  the  care  and  attendance  of  a  responsible  person  of  her 
own  sex.  Julia  P.  Harvey  writes:  "The  Women's  Christian 
Temperance  Union  put  the  first  day  matron  into  the  police 
stations,  and  the  Philanthropy  Committee  of  The  Chicago 
Women's  Club  put  the  first  night  matron  into  the  jail  on  the 
North  Side,  and  afterward  co-operated  in  putting  both  day  and 
night  matrons  in  all  the  police  stations.  To  the  Philanthropy 
Committee  of  the  Club  especially  belongs  the  credit  of  seeing 
the  need  of  a  night  matron  as  well  as  a  day  matron  in  the  jail 
first  and  the  police  stations  afterwards." 

At  the  meeting  of  February  13,  1884,  Mrs.  Shedd  moved 
that  "The  Chicago  Women's  Club  endorse  the  action  of  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  43 

Philanthropy  Committee  in  the  direction  of  securing  an  assist- 
ant matron  in  the  jail." 

Mrs.  Shedd  reported  for  the  Reform  Committee  that  a 
woman  had  been  appointed  as  assistant  physician  at  the  Cook 
County  Insane  Asylum  at  Dunning,  a  result  of  the  heroic 
efforts  of  members  of  the  Club. 

April  2,  1884,  the  Club  met  for  the  first  time  in  the  Art  In- 
stitute building,  now  the  Chicago  Club.  The  President,  Henriette 
G.  Frank,  called  the  meeting  to  order  at  2 :30  p.  m.  and  made  a 
short  address  congratulating  the  association  upon  the  possession 
of  a  home,  welcoming  the  guests  and  giving  voice  to  the  thanks 
of  the  Club  to  the  committees  who  had  so  acceptably  ful- 
filled the  duties  of  selecting  and  furnishing  the  home,  express- 
ing in  closing  her  remarks  the  hope  that  "now  that  we  have 
ceased  to  be  Bohemians  we  shall  not  become  Philistines."  At 
the  annual  meeting  March  4,  1885,  it  was  reported: 

"The  committee  which  had  in  charge  the  furnishing  of 
the  rooms  were  singularly  successful  and  provident  of  the  re- 
sources of  the  Club,  while  they  gave  most  generously  of  their 
own  time  and  thought  as  well  as  freely  of  the  sinews  of  war." 
This  applies  equally  to  every  room  committee  that  has  ever 
served  the  Club. 

Jan.  16,  1884,  it  was  voted  that  blanks,  containing  a  list 
of  the  offices  to  be  filled  at  the  annual  meeting  should  be 
printed,  and  distributed  among  the  members  of  the  Club,  who 
would  fill  in  the  blanks  with  the  names  of  the  candidates  and 
send  them  to  a  committee  which  should  act  as  tellers  and  re- 
port at  the  annual  meeting.  It  was  moved  that  the  Chair  ap- 
point the  nominating  committee. 

The  recording  secretary's  report  at  the  seventh  annual 
meeting  in  the  year  1883-1884  states:  "The  opening  of  the 
present  year  found  our  membership  list  numbering  86.  We 
close  with  105.  As  guests  the  women  of  the  Association  for 
the  Advancement  of  Women  were  not  only  faultless,  but  per- 
fection. 'May  we  meet  again'  was  the  sentiment  of  both  hos- 
tess and  guests  when  the  Congress  left  Chicago.  The  social 
meetings  have  not  been  after  the  usual  fashion,  the  one  occur- 


44  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ring  June  6,  1883,  being  a  picnic,  giving  an  opportunity  for 
some  good  natured  criticism  on  the  part  of  those  ladies  who 
do  not  enjoy  fetes  champetres.  The  opening  social  meeting  in 
October,  1883,  was  a  conversazione,  to  which  each  woman 
brought  her  best  wits,  and  there  was  no  need  of  material  re- 
freshment. During  the  year  certain  plans  for  more  effective 
working  of  the  various  committees  have  taken  definite  form, 
and  organized  effort  has  been  made  in  more  than  one  direc- 
tion for  helpfulness  towards  others  and  a  thorough  under- 
standing of  the  powers  and  responsibilities  of  both  Club  and 
Committees.  *  *  *  Through  the  untiring  efforts  of  the 
committee  on  rooms  a  permanent  home  has  been  secured  and 
naturally  our  power  as  householders  will  be  more  positive 
than  as  nomads  wandering  up  and  down  the  alphabet. 
*  *  *  \ye  have  given  our  sympathy  and  endorsement  in 
several  directions,  and  our  good  wishes,  accompanied  by  a 
little  money  to  the  enterprise  of  free  kindergartens  under  the 
Froebel  Association." 

The  following  statement  is  taken  from  a  letter  written  by 
Dr.  Julia  Holmes  Smith  under  the  date  of  Jan,  10,  1911: 
"One  thing  I  would  like  to  have  noticed  is  that  one  social  ex- 
pense incurred  by  the  Club  was  during  my  last  administra- 
tion: i.  e.,  entertaining  'The  Association  for  the  Advance- 
ment of  Women,'  the  organization  which  was  the  first  inspi- 
ration for  women's  clubs  all  over  the  country,  to  do  some  act- 
ual work  for  the  good  of  humanity.  The  Women's  Club  was  so 
horrified  at  our  extravagance,  that  practical  work  was  decided 
upon  in  a  fever  of  penitence,  and  today  we  not  only  do  a  real 
world's  work,  but  are  not  chary  of  entertainments  which  cost 
money  as  well.  I  am  still  glad  of  that  first  little  effort  in  the 
direction  of  'exploiting'  our  Club,  for  from  that  time  forth, 
we  have  steadily  grown  and  become  of  world  wide  impor- 
tance." 

April  9,  1884,  each  member  was  requested  by  post  card 
to  bring  cup,  saucer  and  plate  to  the  Club  rooms  to  be  used 
for  Club  purposes.  This  request  was  repeated  from  time  to 
time  for  many  years  after.  It  was  also  mentioned  that  a  new 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  45 

member  felt  so  interested  in  the  Club  that  she  desired  her 
membership  fee  should  be  paid  and  her  name  kept  upon  the 
calendar  during  her  lifetime.  The  Chairman  of  the  Art  and 
Literature  Committee  asked  if  there  was  any  objection  to  an 
afternoon  to  be  devoted  to  music  and  recitations,  no  paper  to 
be  offered  upon  that  day.  The  directors  had  no  objection  to 
the  experiment.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  was  instructed 
to  have  500  postal  cards  printed  for  the  use  of  the  chairman 
of  committees. 

April  16,  1884,  Mrs.  Harvey  called  the  attention  of  the 
Club  to  the  effort  which  the  Committee  on  Philanthropy  was 
making  to  have  a  matron  appointed  to  remain  in  the  jail  at 
night  when  women  prisoners  are  confined  there. 

April  23,  1884,  Mrs.  Wilkinson  moved  that  the  Corre- 
sponding Secretary  be  instructed  to  send  postal  cards,  notify- 
ing the  members  of  each  and  every  club  meeting.  Upon  this 
question  there  was  a  tie,  the  President  casting  the  deciding 
vote  in  the  affirmative. 

It  was  thought  best  to  put  the  time  of  committee  meet- 
ings on  the  calendar:  Philanthropy  and  Reform  Committees 
to  meet  on  the  4th  Wednesday  of  the  month  at  2:30  p.  m.j 
Education  Committee  to  meet  on  the  third  Wednesday  at 
2  p.  m. ;  Art  and  Literature  on  the  2d  and  4th  Mondays. 

Feb.  18,  1885,  the  subject  was  "Public  Charities."  The 
essayist  said  that  she  had  found  difficulties  in  getting  reports 
of  county  work. 

The  annual  report  given  March  4,  1885,  states  that  the 
attendance  at  the  meetings  had  increased  from  an  average  of 
40  persons  to  55.  The  smallest  audiences  had  been  addressed 
by  non-members  of  the  club,  the  numbers  being  26  and  35* 
The  largest  meetings  numbered  71  and  72.  The  most  general 
discussion  followed  papers  read  by  members.  Those  who  at- 
tended the  musicale  of  Feb.  4  pronounced  the  innovation  an 
agreeable  one. 

It  is  impossible  to  list  the  names  of  all  those  who  have  made 
gifts  of  service  to  the  Club.  Many  members  contributed  articles 
of  value  and  interest  besides.  In  1885  Mrs.  W.  M.  How- 


46  ANNALS  OF  THE 

land  on  behalf  of  Mrs.  Burrows  presented  a  Mueller  engrav- 
ing of  the  Sistine  Madonna  as  a  memorial  to  Mr.  Thomas 
Burrows. 

March  18,  1885,  the  essayist  of  the  day,  Mrs.  J.  B.  Adair, 
had  a  paper  on  "The  Office  of  Women  in  the  Reform  and 
Care  of  Criminals,"  which  was  followed  by  a  general  discus- 
sion. This  was  an  echo  in  choice  of  subject  of  one  of  the 
earliest  interests  of  the  Club.  In  the  course  of  the  discussion 
Mrs.  Bancroft  told  the  Club  that  Illinois  had  no  reform  school 
for  girls.  In  case  of  light  offenses  comparatively  good  girls 
were  classed  with  such  vicious  company  that  their  future  be- 
came inevitably  blighted.  She  said  a  bill  was  now  before  the 
Legislature  demanding  a  reform  school  for  girls,  and  she 
called  for  the  assistance  of  the  Club  to  help  pass  the  bill.  It 
was  moved  that  the  Club  should  sign  the  petition,  which  was 
read  by  Mrs.  Tuley.  May  20,  1885,  Mrs.  Shedd  read  a  resolu- 
tion to  be  signed  by  the  officers  of  the  Club  endorsing  a  bill 
before  the  Legislature  to  establish  in  Illinois  a  reformatory 
institution  for  women  and  girls. 

April  15,  1885,  Col.  F.  W.  Parker  spoke  upon  "Two  Ideals 
in  Education." 

April  8,  1885,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors, 
Miss  Nellie  Halsted  said  that  she  regretted  limitations.  She 
thought  it  a  defect  in  the  Club  that  two  of  the  most  impor- 
tant phases  of  thought  were  not  represented — science  and 
philosophy.  It  was  decided  that  there  would  not  be  time  be- 
fore issuing  the  new  calendar  to  organize  another  committee. 
It  was  suggested  that  those  chairmen  who  had  not  arranged 
their  essays  for  the  year  might  widen  their  scope  for  choice 
and  embrace  science  and  philosophy.  It  is  true  that  these  sub- 
jects were  not  wholly  new  to  the  Club,  for  papers  had  already 
been  written  on  both  philosophic  and  scientific  topics ;  but  an 
increased  interest  therein  had  been  shown  by  a  few  members, 
and  the  belief  that  special  attention  in  these  directions  would 
result  in  great  advantage  to  the  Club  led  to  the  formation  of 
the  new  committee. 

Jan.  13,  1886,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  Mrs. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  47 

F.  S.  Heywood  called  the  President's  attention  to  the  proposi- 
tion to  form  a  Science  and  Philosophy  committee  in  the  Club. 

Feb.  10,  1886,  the  constitution  was  amended  to  read  as 
follows:  "For  the  better  execution  of  its  objects,  the  Club 
shall  be  composed  of  committees  representing  its  different 
lines  of  work;  namely:  Education,  Reform,  Home,  Art  and 
Literature,  Philanthropy,  Science  and  Philosophy."  This  was 
ratified  unanimously  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Club  of  the 
same  year.  Dr.  Bedell  appointed  Miss  Halsted,  Mrs.  Woolley 
and  Mrs.  Caroline  K.  Sherman  as  a  committee  to  organize  the 
Science  and  Philosophy  Committee.  Dec.  15,  1886,  Mrs. 
Sherman  read  a  paper  on  "The  Practical  Value  of  Philosophic 
Study."  The  President  called  the  attention  of  the  Club  to  the 
fact  that  the  essay  to  which  they  had  just  listened  was  the 
first  one  given  by  the  Committee  on  Philosophy  and  Science. 

February  11,  1885,  the  President  read  a  letter  from 
W.  M.  R.  French,  director  of  the  Art  Institute,  asking  that  the 
Club  room  be  opened  on  Saturday  evening,  Feb.  7,  on  the 
occasion  of  the  Art  Institute  Reception.  The  Room  Committee 
of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  issued  invitations  to  all  members  to 
a  luncheon  to  be  given  in  the  Club  rooms  March  4,  1885.  This 
invitation  was  accepted  by  most  of  the  members,  and  seventy- 
eight  persons  were  present  at  the  luncheon.  The  occasion  was 
pronounced  by  those  present  a  success.  Conversation  filled 
the  hours  before  the  annual  meeting,  which  was  called  for  the 
afternoon  of  the  same  day. 

March  11,  1885,  several  standing  committees  were  formed. 
A  finance,  including  the  auditing,  committee  was  appointed 
with  Miss  Sweet  as  chairman,  and  Mrs.  Blackman  and  Mrs. 
Frank  as  assistants.  Mrs.  W.  M.  Rowland  was  appointed 
chairman  of  the  printing  committee,  with  the  president  and 
recording  secretary  as  assistants;  and  Mrs.  Shedd,  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  social  affairs,  with  power  to  select  two 
assistants. 

May  6,  1885,  the  corresponding  secretary  read  a  letter 
from  Mrs.  Starrett,  inviting  the  Club  to  a  picnic  at  Highland 


48  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Park.  The  invitation  was  accepted  for  the  first  Saturday  in 
June,  and  children  were  allowed  to  go  with  their  mothers. 
May  13,  a  request  made  by  the  Kitchen  Garden  Association 
for  the  use  of  the  Club  room  May  20  for  its  annual  meeting 
was  granted.  May  27,  the  President  asked  the  Club  to  con- 
sider the  question  of  establishing  a  training  school  for  domes- 
tics, including  a  system  of  registration  and  an  intelligence 
office.  She  suggested  that  a  committee  be  formed  to  take 
the  proposition  under  consideration. 

May  20,  1885,  Dr.  Smith  read  a  letter  from  Miss  Swazey, 
of  New  Orleans,  giving  an  account  of  a  successful  organiza- 
tion in  that  city,  suggested  by  and  formed  after  the  plan  of 
the  Chicago  Women's  Club.  October  7,  1885,  Mrs.  Wilkin- 
son moved  that  the  Women's  Club  send  greetings  to  the 
Women's  Congress  in  Des  Moines. 

Oct.  21,  1885,  Mrs.  Tuley  moved  that  all  those  who  ap- 
proved of  the  principle  of  suffrage  should  rise.  The  President 
asked  all  those  to  rise  who  desired  suffrage  now.  Forty-five 
arose.  The  President  called  upon  those  opposed  to  suffrage  to 
rise.  Five  rose. 

In  November,  1887,  it  was  stated  that  a  member  of  the 
Home  Committee  desired  to  form  inside  that  committee  an  Anti- 
Suffrage  Society.  The  President  declared  such  a  society  out 
of  keeping  with  the  character  of  the  Club. 

Dec.  2,  1885,  the  essayist  of  the  afternoon,  Mrs.  George  W. 
Woodward,  presented  a  paper  on  "Problems  of  the  Streets  and 
Alleys."  Mrs.  Harvey  in  opening  the  discussion  spoke  of 
crippled  beggars  in  the  street  as  one  of  the  problems.  Instead 
of  being  driven  away  they  should  be  provided  with  proper 
places  of  refuge.  Our  city  has  no  laws  regarding  children  in 
the  street;  they  are  left  to  the  discretion  of  individual  police- 
men. She  protested  against  employing  boys  to  do  men's  work, 
such  as  standing  in  line  over  night  for  pay,  to  secure  tickets 
of  admission  to  popular  entertainments.  The  Newsboys' 
Home  was  declared  not  attractive  to  the  class  for  whose  bene- 
fit it  was  opened;  it  offers  too  much  restraint  for  the  street 
Arab.  Mrs.  Woodward  recommended  taking  homeless  girls 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  49 

into  a  training  school  for  domestics.  Industrial  and  com- 
pulsory education  were  proposed  by  several  speakers 
as  the  remedy  for  many  of  the  ills  of  society,  whereby  re- 
ducing the  number  of  criminals  for  whose  accommoda- 
tion the  State  expends  far  greater  sums  than  would  be 
necessary  for  schools  to  which  children  convicted  of  some 
petty  offense  could  be  sent,  instead  of  bringing  them  into  contact 
with  hardened  criminals.  The  examples  of  New  York  and  of 
European  cities  prove  that  compulsory  education  was  an  aid 
in  raising  the  standard  of  morality. 

October  15,  1885,  informal  discussion  upon  the  Treas- 
urer's bond,  and  the  incorporation  of  the  Club  resulted  in  a 
motion  by  Mrs.  Shedd  that  the  Club  funds  should  be  placed 
in  the  hands  of  the  Finance  Committee,  pending  action  upon 
incorporation.  A  committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  the 
President  and  two  others,  to  draw  articles  for  purpose  of  in- 
corporation. December  2,  1885,  a  letter  from  Mr.  Walter  M. 
Rowland  accompanying  the  certificate  of  organization  was 
read.  Mr.  Rowland  gave  his  services,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  was 
tendered  him.  *•••.. 

December  18,  1885,  the  President  announced  the  wel- 
come intelligence  that  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  was  an  in- 
corporated body,  and  a  chartered  institution.  There  was  a 
cloud  upon  this  pleasure,  however,  namely,  that  we  had  no 
officers  and  no  constitution.  She  thought  the  previous  officers 
would  continue  to  act  under  the  defunct  constitution  until 
the  Club  could  form  its  chartered  staff.  She  asked  the  Club's 
consideration  of  the  question  of  the  desirability  of  limiting 
its  number  of  memberships.  She  also  spoke  of  the  energy 
and  devotion  of  the  Reform  Committee  in  attending  the  ses- 
sions morning,  afternoon  and  evening  of  the  Board  of  Charities, 
to  secure  reforms  in  the  Insane  Asylum;  and  assured  the  Club 
that  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Charities  were  highly  ap- 
preciative of  their  disinterested  labor  and  uplifting  influence. 

Article  IV,  of  the  constitution,  was  amended  to  read  as 
follows :  "The  duties  of  the  chairman  shall  be  to  arrange  and 
attend  stated  meetings  of  her  committee;  to  prepare  and  pro- 


50  ANNALS  OF  THE 

vide  for  the  work  of  such  Club  meetings  of  each  year,  of 
which  she  shall  make  report  to  the  Board  at  its  April  meeting, 
and  she  shall  be  present  at  the  Club  meetings  to  be  conducted 
by  her  Committee,  and  be  responsible  for  the  proper  fulfill- 
ment of  the  program  for  that  day.  At  the  annual  meeting  she 
shall  report  the  work  accomplished  by  her  Committee  during 
the  year."  This  amendment  was  unanimously  approved  at 
the  annual  meeting  March  3,  1886.  This  resolution  was  also 
adopted:  "That  the  Constitution  and  By-Laws  as  printed  in 
the  Club  calendar,  and  the  official  Board  of  the  Club  as  now 
constituted  be  ratified  and  accepted  as  the  Constitution  and 
By-Laws  and  the  officers  of  The  Chicago  Women's  Club,  as 
an  incorporate  body." 

The  following  items  are  taken  from  reports  of  that  date : 
"We  have  evinced  our  public  spirit  by  consenting  to  va- 
cate our  comfortable  rooms,  and  accept  for  the  same  rent  in- 
ferior accommodations  in  order  to  facilitate  the  erection  of  a 
new  Art  Institute,  which  we  hope  will  be  a  credit  to  our  city. 
We  have  revealed  our  respect  for  law  by  becoming  an  incor- 
porated body  and  chartered  institution.  We  have  declared 
our  unity  with  two  important  phases  of  intellectual  develop- 
ment by  endeavoring  to  form  a  committee  in  Science  and  Phil- 
osophy and  proposing  an  amendment  to  the  Constitution  in 
order  to  admit  it  within  the  calendar  year.  The  Chairman  of 
the  Art  and  Literature  Committee  repeated  the  experiment  of 
last  year  and  provided  another  musical  entertainment  which 
revealed  local  talent ;  gave  the  Club  an  opportunity  to  hear  the 
original  compositions  of  one  of  its  members,  Mrs.  Clowry, 
and  convinced  the  doubtful  of  its  right  to  exist." 

April  28,  1886,  it  was  suggested  that  the  names  of  mem- 
bers who  have  moved  from  the  city  have  their  names  recorded 
in  the  calendar  as  non-resident  members.  April  14,  1886,  it 
was  voted  that  the  use  of  the  Club  room  be  given  the  Decora- 
tive Art  Society  for  four  days,  for  an  exhibition  of  their  work. 
November  10,  1886,  it  was  voted  to  grant  the  use  of  the  Club 
room  to  the  Western  Association  of  Collegiate  Alumnae  the 
last  of  January. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  51 

January  19,  1887,  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Brown  gave  a  report 
of  the  Protective  Agency,  showing  a  noble  and  greatly  needed 
work,  and  asked  for  funds  in  order  to  continue  this  philan^ 
thropy.  The  chairman  of  the  Reform  Committee  called  the 
attention  of  the  Club  to  the  fact  that  Mrs.  Wallace,  who  had 
given  $500  not  from  her  income,  but  from  her  principal,  to 
start  the  Society,  was  present.  The  Club  applauded  Mrs. 
Wallace.  At  the  first  annual  meeting  of  the  Protective 
Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  the  following  account  was 
given  of  its  organization :  In  the  early  fall  of  1885  the  various 
women's  associations  of  Chicago  determined  upon  some  united 
effort  for  the  protection  of  women  and  children.  At  the 
Grand  Pacific,  January  12,  1886,  at  the  regular  monthly  meet- 
ing of  the  Moral  Educational  Society,  Dr.  Bedell,  then  presi- 
dent of  The  Women's  Club,  Julia  P.  Harvey,  chairman  of  its 
Philanthropy  Committee,  Mrs.  E.  B.  Harbert,  president  of 
the  Cook  County  Suffrage  Association,  Mrs.  O.  C.  Gibbs, 
chairman  of  the  Woman's  Defense  Committee  of  the  Moral 
Educational  Society,  and  many  other  earnest  women  were 
present. 

At  the  close  of  a  stirring  appeal,  Mrs.  Harbert  suggested 
that  the  Women's  Club  call  a  meeting  of  the  officers  of  all  the 
women's  associations  in  the  city  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a 
new  organization  to  be  devoted  to  the  peculiar  interests  and 
demands  under  discussion.  It  was  said,  that  as  the  Club  had 
a  large  membership,  was  cosmopolitan,  and  less  likely  to  pro- 
voke antagonism,  it  was  emphatically  the  one  to  take  the  ini- 
tiative in  the  proposed  work.  The  matter,  brought  to  the  at- 
tention of  the  Club  by  the  committee,  was  duly  considered, 
and  resulted  in  the  formation  of  "The  Protective  Agency  for 
Women  and  Children." 

From  the  circular,  issued  soon  after  the  preliminary  meet- 
ing, the  following  is  taken :  "The  Women's  Club,  through 
certain  of  its  committees  (Philanthropy,  Reform  and  Home), 
and  in  counsel  with  delegates  from  other  philanthropic  or- 
ganizations of  women  in  the  city,  has  established  a  Protective 
Agency  for  Women  and  Children."  At  a  meeting  held  in  the 


52  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Club  rooms  March  17,  1886,  rules  for  the  governing  board 
were  adopted.  Mrs.  C.  M.  Brown,  founder  of  the  Women's 
Club,  was  elected  Chairman  of  the  Board;  Mrs.  F.  S.  Howe, 
Treasurer ;  Mrs.  Mary  Dye,  Clerk. 

The  annual  report  of  Mrs.  Sabin,  Secretary  of  the  Club, 
for  1886-87,  states:  "This  year  discloses  the  commencement 
of  the  proposed  Training  School  for  Domestics,  and  inaugu- 
ration of  the  Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  an 
undertaking,  in  the  opinion  of  some,  the  greatest  we  have 
attempted.  The  Protective  Agency  is  not  alone  composed  of 
this  Club ;  it  is  an  association  from  several  societies.  Com- 
bination is  a  recognized  power,  and  in  order  to  still  further 
acquaint  ourselves  with  institutions  similar  to  our  own,  and 
possibly  to  augment  our  forces  by  united  action  upon  any 
given  question,  we  have  adopted  a  resolution  to  communicate 
with  such  organizations  for  reciprocal  information,  and  also 
to  send  a  delegate  to  the  next  Congress  of  the  Association  for 
the  Advancement  of  Women,  and  to  the  approaching  meeting 
of  the  Conference  of  Charities.  The  Club  has  endeavored  to 
exercise  its  influence  in  repressing  evils  in  various  directions — 
in  helping  the  unfortunate,  in  protecting  the  innocent,  in  edu- 
cating the  children  of  the  poor,  and  it  has  even  extended  its 
care  to  the  little  birds  by  endeavoring  to  check  their  slaughter 
for  decorative  purposes.  These  are  some  of  the  channels  into 
which  our  life  has  been  directed,  but  in  this  outpouring  of 
efforts  we  have  not  forgotten  that  the  home  is  the  basis  of 
society,  that  sanitary  and  comfortable  living  is  necessary  for 
the  best  development  of  humanity,  and  that  its  culture  is 
promoted  by  pleasant  and  even  artistic  surroundings.  Being 
individuals  of  humanity,  subject  to  its  laws  and  condi- 
tions, we  have  recognized  the  necessity  of  a  suitable  club 
home  as  the  center  from  which  our  influence  and  our  works 
shall  radiate.  To  this  end  we  have  leased  rooms  in  the  new 
Art  Institute  Building  (now  the  Chicago  Club),  and  we  have 
entered  into  an  agreement  with  a  sister  society,  the  Fort- 
nightly, for  the  mutual  enjoyment  of  certain  specified  rights 
and  privileges  in  the  joint  occupancy  of  other  rooms;  and  we 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CUJB  53 

have  also  mutually  agreed  to  the  use  of  all  the  rooms  belong- 
ing to  the  two  societies  on  certain  occasions,  for  social  pur- 
poses when  desired  by  either  club." 

The  first  free  training  class  in  the  Swedish  sloyd  system 
was  formed  in  January,  1887,  the  object  being  to  reach  classes 
of  unemployed  children  who  frequent  our  streets  and  alleys, 
to  gather  them  into  the  mission  schools  of  the  city  and  pro- 
vide for  them  some  industrial  training.  With  this  end  in  view, 
members  of  the  Education  Committee  entered  these  schools 
either  as  teachers  or  superintendents  and  in  some  cases 
greatly  aided  in  their  support  from  their  own  funds. 

In  1886  the  Industrial  Art  Association  was  formed 
through  the  efforts  of  the  Club.  Twenty-five  women,  mostly 
teachers,  met  in  the  Club  rooms  once  a  week,  taking  industrial 
lessons  for  volunteer  service  in  the  city. 

The  following  report  by  Helen  S.  Shedd,  Chairman  of  the 
Reform  Department  for  1885-86,  indicates  clearly  the  thor- 
oughness of  the  work  done  by  the  Club  in  the  first  ten  years 
of  its  service: 

"A  little  more  than  a  year  ago  some  of  the  members  of 
our  Club  seemed  touched,  as  by  a  new  spirit,  a  new  working 
spirit,  let  us  say.  We  began  to  undertake  practical  work,  such 
work  as  should  call  forth  and  express  the  moral  force  of  the 
Club,  individually  and  collectively.  The  Reform  Committee 
selected  as  its  point  of  attack,  the  Cook  County  Insane  Asy- 
lum at  Dunning.  The  Committee  set  about  trying  to  secure 
the  much  needed  reform,  the  first  appointment  of  a  woman 
physician  in  any  insane  asylum,  state  or  county,  in  the  juris- 
diction of  Illinois.  Dr.  Delia  Howe  was  the  physician  ap- 
pointed; so  efficient  was  her  work  that  the  present  medical 
superintendent  assured  us  that  a  larger  number  of  patients 
have  been  sent  out  cured,  from  her  department,  than  at  any 
corresponding  period  of  time  preceding  her  appointment.  Dr. 
Howe  was  elected  to  the  Eastern  State  Asylum  at  Kankakee 
and  Dr.  Harriet  B.  Alexander  was  appointed  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy. The  Asylum  received  three  visits  from  our  committee, 
and  eight  additional  visits  by  different  members.  We  shall 


54  ANNALS  OF  THE 

continue  our  work  and  try  to  bring  about  a  more  efficient  and 
trained  service  on  the  part  of  the  attendants;  something  ap- 
proximating a  trained  service — introduced  into  our  County 
Hospital  through  the  Illinois  Training  School  for  Nurses — is 
what  we  seek  to  institute.  We  desire  also  to  have  incor- 
porated into  our  lunacy  laws  the  declaration,  'That  where 
women  are  inmates  of  insane  asylums,  either  in  county  or 
state  institutions,  women  physicians  shall  be  appointed  as 
assistants.'  To  this  end  we  have  communicated  with  Dr. 
Wines,  Chairman  of  the  State  Board  of  Charities,  who  has 
drafted  a  lunacy  bill,  which  has  already  been  presented  to 
the  legislature,  with  a  view  of  securing  his  co-operation  in 
having  the  clause  inserted  in  the  body  of  the  bill. 

"Four  petitions  were  formulated  and  presented  to  the  Pub- 
lic Service  Committee,  setting  forth  a  variety  of  measures  the 
committee  desired  introduced  and  changes  that  needed  to  be  ef- 
fected. Among  the  requests  presented  was  one  for  the  withdraw- 
al of  the  license  from  the  saloons  continguous  to  the  grounds  of 
the  Infirmary  and  Insane  Asylum.  If  this  could  not  be  com- 
passed, an  abatement  of  the  evil  by  an  erection  of  a  high 
fence  about  the  poor-house  was  urged.  The  asking  of  a  larger 
attendant  service  than  had  previously  been  employed  for  the 
insane  patients  was  another  request  presented.  The  commit- 
tee further  requested  the  introduction  of  a  training  system  for 
the  attendants ;  and  that  all  apparatus  for  the  attendants  and  for 
the  physical  restraint  of  the  insane  patients,  be  placed  in  the  drug 
room,  and  not  kept  in  the  wards  as  now,  the  same  to  be  issued 
only  on  the  order  of  a  physician.  Another  petition  has  been 
presented  asking  for  the  introduction  of  the  simple  forms  of 
industrial  art  training,  for  such  of  the  insane  women  as  are 
capable  of  receiving  its  benefits.  A  petition  to  establish  a  work 
house  in  the  Infirmary  for  able  bodied  paupers  has  also  been 
presented  and  is  receiving  consideration. 

"Through  a  special  petition  presented  to  the  County 
Board,  by  our  committee,  the  name  has  been  changed  from 
'The  Insane  Department'  of  the  County  Jail,  which  it  has  borne 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  55 

so  long,  to  'The  Detention  Hospital  for  the  Insane.'  Either  a 
ward  of  the  County  Hospital  should  be  devoted  to  this  serv- 
ice, or  what  would  be  far  better,  a  suitable  building-  should 
be  erected  and  fitted  up  to  be  used  solely  as  a  detention  hos- 
pital for  the  insane  of  Cook  County." 

Mrs.  Frank  Asbury  Johnson  writes  in  1904: 
"The  free  Kindergarten  which  for  seven  years  was  held 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Woman's  Club  was  founded  by 
Mrs.  Tuley.  She  suggested  it  to  the  Club  in  a  paper  on 
'Practical  Kindergartening,'  and  the  Club  recognized  her  ini- 
tiative by  putting  her  in  control  of  it  and  paying  one  hundred 
dollars  from  Club  funds  toward  its  support." 

Lucretia  M.  Hey  wood,  under  date  of  January  4,  1911, 
writes  as  follows:  "We  all  know  that  even  before  we  de- 
cided to  take  up  practical  work  we  were  sustaining  a  Kinder- 
garten which  was  an  object  lesson  to  the  city  and  continued  to 
be  so  until  the  Board  of  Education  incorporated  that  work 
into  the  city  schools.  Compulsory  education  was  early 
realized  to  be  a  great  need  of  our  growing  city  and  our  Com- 
mittee agitated  that  question  very  earnestly,  discussing  it  in 
all  possible  and  impossible  places  and,  for  a  time,  writing 
short  articles  for  the  Tribune,  which  that  paper  published 
every  few  days.  Later  other  departments  became  interested 
and  several  of  our  Club  members  carried  a  bill  to  Springfield 
and  'lobbied'  for  the  cause.  Though  our  bill  was  not  passed, 
compulsory  education  was  soon  enforced  by  law,  which  amply 
repaid  us  for  all  our  efforts.  Manual  training  was  also  taken 
up  by  our  Committee.  Since  all  our  Department  did  not  enter 
into  this  subject  with  zeal,  a  sub-committee  was  formed 
called  'Industrial  Arts,'  under  which  much  pioneer  work  was 
done.  Sloyd  was  something  new  this  side  of  the  water  and 
when  some  of  us  learned  that  Mrs.  Shaw  of  Boston,  had  im- 
ported two  sisters  from  Sweden  to  teach  sloyd",  we  wrote,  en- 
treating her  to  send  one  to  Chicago.  Miss  Topelius  came  at 
our  request,  and  Saturday  morning  schools  were  started  in 
several  sections  of  the  city  where  sloyd  and  many  of  the  arts 
and  crafts  were  taught.  Miss  Topelius  continued  to  teach 


56  ANNALS  OF  THE 

under  our  auspices  until  the  Board  of  Education  employed 
her  in  the  public  schools,  where  she  remained  until  the  time 
of  her  death.  Arts  and  crafts  found  no  lodgment  in  the  minds 
of  the  Board  of  Education  at  that  time.  Years  passed  before 
they  could  see  they  were  sufficiently  practical." 

In  1887,  two  kindergartens  in  public  school  buildings  were 
supplied  by  the  Club  and  the  Froebel  Association,  two  half 
days  a  week.  At  the  close  of  the  Club  year  of  1888,  the  Edu- 
cation Committee  reported  three  interests  and  activities,  the 
kindergarten,  industrial  art,  and  compulsory  education.  The 
Committee  stated  that  there  were  fifty  children  attending  the 
morning  sessions  of  the  kindergarten,  and  wondered  if  a  con- 
nection could  ever  be  established  between  the  free  kindergar- 
ten system  and  the  public  schools. 

For  the  Club  year  1887-88,  the  Social  Committee  re- 
ported that  guests  had  been  entertained  representing  eighteen 
states  and  territories  and  four  foreign  countries. 

Among  the  treasures  of  the  Club  may  be  found 
Kate  Edmonson  Tuley's  scrap  book  in  which  she  collected 
newspaper  clippings  on  "subjects  relating  to  women,  educa- 
tion and  crime,"  covering  the  years  1884  to  1887.  On  the  title 
page  is  written  the  request,  "To  be  presented  to  the  Chicago 
Women's  Club  in  case  of  my  death."  Among  the  topics  which 
appear  in  the  collection  are  the  following:  Betterment  of 
girls  and  women ;  article  by  Mrs.  Tuley  to  the  "People's  Pul- 
pit" on  dress  reform  protesting  against  women  being  "cribbed, 
cabined  and  confined";  women's  rights,  charities,  women  as 
paupers  and  insane;  women  in  industrial  pursuit;  history  of 
the  Industrial  Art  Association;  Board  of  Education  for  1887; 
art  and  women's  clubs;  art  matters  in  Chicago,  1888. 

The  scrap  book  preserves  an  article  from  the  Chicago 
Tribune  on  the  Industrial  Art  Association  of  which  Mrs. 
S.  A.  Sears  was  general  director  at  the  time,  which  is  quoted 
as  follows:  "The  Industrial  Art  Association  goes  into  the 
poorest  part  of  Chicago,  gathers  the  unwashed  and  ragged 
boys  and  girls  on  Saturday  mornings  and  brings  them  into 
pleasant,  warm,  clean  schoolrooms,  where  they  are  taught 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  57 

practical  things  in  easy  ways.  A  typical  school  is  on  Cly- 
bourn  Avenue,  supported  by  the  Central  Church,  where  boys 
are  taught  to  sew  on  buttons  and  to  draw,  and  where  girls 
sew  doll  clothes  and  have  lessons  in  decorative  art  and  fancy 
needlework.  There  are  about  four  schools  throughout  the 
city,  and  the  association  which  conducts  them  is  an  offshoot 
of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club.  Its  financial  support  is  gained 
from  voluntary  contributions  by  those  who  sympathize  with 
its  aims,  and  in  part  by  the  Decorative  Art  Society,  which 
pays  for  the  training  of  the  teachers  who  give  their  services 
free.  In  addition  to  the  general  director,  there  is  a  president, 
Dr.  Lelia  G.  Bedell ;  vice-president,  Mrs.  M.  C.  Remick ;  secre- 
tary, Mrs.  Francis  T.  Simmons ;  treasurer,  Miss  Helen  Miller." 

In  the  same  scrap  book  we  find  clippings  showing  the 
beginnings  of  the  woman's  club  movement:  "The  woman's 
club  has  become  an  institution.  When  the  boys  marched  to 
the  war,  woman  became  conscious  of  the  power  of  organiza- 
tion. When  the  necessity  for  relief  in  that  direction  was  ac- 
complished, the  Soldiers'  Aid  Society  was  developed  into  an 
extensive  organization,  or  organizations,  for  the  mutual  im- 
provement of  woman.  The  idea  has  become  widespread,  and 
all  over  the  country  we  find  women  banded  together  pursuing 
some  line  of  study,  gaining  a  knowledge  that  makes  them, 
their  homes  and  society  better,  binding  in  interchange  of 
thought  an  impulse  to  better  thinking,  and  a  means  to  intellect 
and  culture,  which  has  been  considered  beyond  the  reach  of 
the  family  woman.  Many  housekeepers  living  isolated  lives 
and  hungering  for  something  better  than  they  have,  find  a  mu- 
tual stimulus  in  these  meetings.  In  many  states  social  science 
associations  are  formed  composed  of  representatives  of  the 
various  local  societies,  and  thus  is  formed  a  means  of  still 
wider  culture." 

February  2,  1887,  Mary  S.  Brown  moved  that  the 
Board  recommend  the  sending  of  a  delegate  to  the  Associa- 
tion for  the  Advancement  of  Women  and  to  the  National 
Conference  of  Charities.  Mrs.  George  F.  Harding  was  chosen 
delegate  to  the  former. 


58  ANNALS  OF  THE 

The  germ  of  the  federation  idea  in  our  Club  dates  back 
to  March  10,  1880,  at  which  time  the  Directors  passed  an 
hour  in  conversation  as  to  the  aims  of  the  Club  for  the  future ; 
the  formation  of  classes  for  study  in  the  various  committees, 
and  the  advisability  of  opening  correspondence  with  other 
clubs.  Dr.  Bedell  suggested  that  some  arrangement  be  marto 
to  secure  a  list  of  other  clubs  and  organizations  in  order  to 
obtain  a  knowledge  of  their  work,  and  reap  the  benefit  of  that 
knowledge.  The  President  was  asked  to  put  The  Chicago 
Women's  Club  in  communication  with  similar  societies  and 
organizations  in  the  United  States. 

A  letter  from  Dr.  L.  G.  Bedell,  dated  February  25,  1911, 
states : 

"One  thing  which  should  go  into  a  history  of  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  is  a  distinct  claim  of  having  originated 
the  idea  of  a  general  federation  of  women's  clubs.  These 
are  the  facts,  which  in  the  Club  records  of  the  year  1886-7 
will  show  that  as  President  of  the  Club,  in  my  address 
I  outlined  the  scheme  of  general  federation  of  clubs.  This 
also  can  be  confirmed  by  reference  to  the  files  of  the  Chicago 
Tribune  or  Inter  Ocean  for  an  article  in  which  Frances  Wil- 
lard  applauds  the  scheme  as  outlined  by  the  president  of  The 
Chicago  Women's  Club  (which  name  the  Club  retained  until 
1895),  and  also  by  reference  to  an  article  of  my  own, 
in  the  same  year  in  the  Woman's  Journal.  Other  facts, 
and  important  ones,  known  only  to  myself  are  that,  as 
it  seemed  best  to  have  one  of  the  oldest  clubs  make  the  call 
for  such  a  movement,  I  wrote  to  Mrs.  Louise  Thomas,  then 
president  of  Sorosis,  and  outlined  the  scheme  and  suggested 
starting  the  movement.  No  reply  whatever  came  from  Mrs. 
Thomas,  but  Sorosis  a  few  months  later  did  issue  the  call  for 
the  organization  of  a  general  federation.  I  believe  it  is  due  the 
Chicago  Women's  Club  that  it  should  make  the  claim  to  the 
origin  of  the  Federation,  substantiating  such  claim  by  quota- 
tion from  the  records  of  the  year  indicated,  in  which  Miss  Hal- 
sted,  then  Secretary,  made  a  full  record  of  the  suggestion  then 
outlined.  I  do  not  wish  individual  credit,  that  is  of  small 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CUJB  59 

moment.  I  am  jealous  for  the  credit  of  the  Chicago  Women's 
Club,  but  should  prefer  to  have  it  impersonal.  Life  is  too 
short  to  scramble  for  personal  recognition." 

The  report  of  the  corresponding  secretary,  Mary  B.  Sabin, 
1886-87  states :  "The  work  of  preparing  a  statistical  record  of 
the  organizations  for  women  in  the  country  has  been  begun 
by  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  in  accord  with  a  unanimous 
vote  of  its  Board  of  Management.  The  need  of  such  a  record 
has  been  experienced  by  your  Secretary,  when  letters  have 
been  received  by  her  from  other  clubs  or  individuals  asking 
for  information  in  regard  to  other  women's  clubs.  A  letter 
has  been  written  by  our  President  (Dr.  Bedell)  to  the  Wom- 
an's Journal  in  pursuance  of  the  action  of  the  Board  of  Man- 
agement, stating  the  willingness  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club 
to  undertake  the  work  of  completing  and  publishing  a  correct 
tabulated  list  of  all  organizations  for  women  in  the  country, 
and  to  each  club  or  organization  which  shall  send  statistics  to 
the  Corresponding  Secretary  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club, 
a  copy  of  such  list  shall  be  sent  before  the  clubs  disperse  for 
summer  vacation.  Up  to  the  present  date  answers  with  statistics 
have  been  received  from  ten  clubs  (which  are  named  by  Mrs. 
Sabin  in  her  report).  All  these  letters  heartily  endorse  the 
action  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  and  express  great  satis- 
faction at  the  prospect  of  knowing  something  of  the  aim  and 
work  of  other  clubs." 

Here  are  extracts  from  a  letter  written  by  Dr.  Leila  G. 
Bedell,  president  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  to  the  editors 
of  The  Woman's  Journal  and  published  in  the  number  for 
January  29,  1887,  a  copy  of  which  is  in  the  possession  of 
Mrs.  Lydia  Avery  Coonley  Ward: 

"The  great  need  of  women's  organizations  is  that  they 
should  be  co-ordinated — linked  together  in  one  common  in- 
terest, though  broadly  expressed — namely,  the  advancement 
of  civilization.  The  Association  for  the  Advancement  of 
Women  has  shown  its  recognition  of  this  need  by  sending  out 
invitations  to  women's  clubs  to  send  delegates  to  the  annual 
congress  of  women.  I  shall  hope  to  see  that  organization  go 


60  ANNALS  OF  THE 

a  step  farther  in  this  direction,  by  so  changing  its  constitution 
as  to  make  its  governing  board  consist  of  members  of  different 
clubs,  instead  of  simply  residents  of  states.  A  vice-president  or 
director  of  a  given  state  may  be  outside  of,  as  well  as  ignorant 
of,  the  best  working  organizations  of  her  own  state.  A  con- 
gress of  women  made  up  of  delegates  carefully  chosen  from 
large  bodies  of  progressive,  working  women  (and  not  self- 
constituted)  would  be  a  truly  representative  and  effective 
body. 

"Some  steps  should  be  taken,  either  by  the  A.  A.  W.,  or 
in  the  direction  of  a  new  organization,  whereby  all  the  so- 
cieties of  women  in  this  country  could  be  con-sociated  in  one 
grand  representative  body.  Herein  would  be  strength  and 
conditions  for  effective  work.  But  it  needs  thorough  organi- 
zation, as  thorough  as  that  great  and  noble  army  of  specific 
workers  represented  by  the  W.  C.  T.  U. 

"I  make  these  suggestions  hoping  some  one  with  more 
discretion  and  better  judgment  will  devise  a  way  whereby  all 
these  clubs  may  be  linked  together.  In  the  meantime  we  will 
gather  together  the  statistics  of  available  material  and  prepare 
the  way  for  such  a  union  of  forces." 

In  the  Woman's  Journal  for  November  23,  1889,  two 
years  later,  is  an  article  entitled,  "The  Federation  of  Clubs." 
It  relates  that  the  circular  letter  therewith  given  is  issued  to 
the  presidents  of  Women's  Clubs  throughout  the  country  by 
members  of  the  correspondence  committee  chosen  at  the  con- 
vention of  clubs  held  the  previous  spring.  The  following  ex- 
tracts are  taken  from  this  circular  letter: 

"Last  March,  Sorosis,  the  Woman's  Club  of  New  York, 
called  a  convention  of  clubs  for  the  purpose  of  ultimately 
forming  a  permanent  organization  of  women's  clubs.  About 
sixty  clubs  were  represented  at  that  convention  by  delegates 
or  written  reports.  In  accordance  with  resolutions  adopted 
by  the  convention,  a  committee  was  formed  to  correspond 
with  other  clubs  and  to  draw  up  a  draft  of  constitution.  From 
that  committee  a  local  advisory  board  was  appointed.  The 
enclosed  constitution  is  the  result  of  the  work  of  this  board. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  61 

The  advisory  board  offer  this  draft  of  constitution  merely  as  a 
basis  of  organization.  Believing  it  wise  in  the  beginning  not 
to  hamper  the  development  of  a  new  association  with  fixed 
rules,  they  have  left  all  minor  considerations  open  for  future 
consideration.  Taking  the  broad  ground  of  organization  as  a 
means  of  mutual  improvement,  they  invite  the  co-operation  of 
all  women's  clubs  throughout  the  world.  The  next  conven- 
tion, of  which  you  will  be  notified  hereafter,  will  be  held  in 
March,  1890.  That  convention  will  have  power  to  adopt  this 
constitution  with  such  modifications  as  commend  themselves 
to  its  judgment,  or  to  remodel  it  entirely.  For  the  present  we 
offer  it  merely  as  a  basis  of  work  and  a  rallying  point  from 
which  to  make  a  start." 

Lydia  Avery  Coonley  Ward  writes,  April  3,  1912:  "By 
the  above  copies  of  letter  and  circular,  it  will  be  seen 
that  the  suggestion  of  the  General  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs  came,  not  from  Sorosis  as  has  been  claimed,  but  from 
the  Chicago  Women's  Club  through  its  brilliant  president, 
Dr.  Bedell,  to  whose  ability  many  other  fine  original  projects 
owe  their  existence. 

Only  about  a  third  of  Dr.  Bedell's  letter  is  quoted.  The 
preceding  paragraphs  are  given  to  a  carefully  studied  plan  for 
the  immediate  bringing  of  clubs  all  over  the  country  into  com- 
munication with  each  other.  Mrs.  Sabin,  then  corresponding 
secretary  of  The  Chicago  Women's  Club,  being  authorized  to 
run  a  bureau  of  information  open  to  clubs  everywhere,  the 
Club  itself  promising  before  the  summer  vacation  to  send 
out  'a  printed  list  which  will  be  of  incalculable  value  to  the 
great  social  and  philanthropic  interests  which  women  have 
espoused.  As  a  guide  to  the  statistics  desired  keep  in  your 
minds  simply  the  words,  What?  Where?  When?  How?  i.  e., 
name  of  club ;  where  located ;  when  organized ;  methods  of 
work;  membership  limited  or  unlimited;  object,  etc.  All  this 
information  we  will  put  in  tabulated  form  for  easy  reference.' 

At  the  annual  meeting  held  March,  1887,  Dr.  Bedell  gave 
the  first  written  report  made  by  a  president  of  the  Chicago 


62  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Women's  Club.     The  following  paragraphs  are  taken  from 
this  report : 

"Under  the  head  of  reports  of  officers,  a  privilege  which 
has  heretofore  been  monopolized  by  the  two  secretaries  and 
the  treasurer,  I  shall  take  advantage  of  an  implied  right  to 
introduce  an  innovation,  in  the  form  of  a  president's  report.  In 
looking  back  over  the  work  which  the  Club  has  done,  I  am 
persuaded  that  even  the  flattering  reports  of  chairmen  and 
officers  have  left  out  some  of  the  most  valuable  achievements 
of  this  Club.  During  the  discussion  of  that  admirable  paper 
on  'The  Value  of  Philosophic  Study'  it  was  stated  upon  the 
authority  of  a  great  philosopher  that  the  only  absolute  good 
in  the  world  is  good  will.  We  can  readily  accept  this  as  true, 
since  good  will,  and  peace  on  earth,  were  the  burden  of  that 
majestic  chorus  which  ushered  in  the  Christian  era.  Aside 
from  the  specialties  and  reforms  which  the  Club  through  the 
committees  have  undertaken  and  so  faithfully  executed,  surely 
it  has  accomplished  even  more  in  the  direction  of  this  'abso- 
lute good'  in  the  degree  of  good  will  to  which  it  has  attained. 
And  indeed,  this  is  almost  phenomenal  when  we  consider  the 
heterogeneous  character  of  our  membership,  which  brings  to- 
gether every  phase  of  religious,  social  and  political  opinion, 
antipodes  in  thought  upon  many  topics,  and  yet  harmonizes 
the  whole  upon  a  universal  humanitarian  basis.  And  this  has 
been  a  club  work  in  which  the  most  silent  and  passive  member 
has  done  and  can  do  as  much  as  the  most  active  or  most  elo- 
quent. It  has  in  fact  been  the  work  which  has  made  all 
other  work  possible.  Our  growth  in  members  even  has  not 
been  commensurate  with  our  growth  in  grace.  And  yet  with 
all  this  increase  of  good  will  and  amiability  there  has  been 
a  most  marvelous  increase  in  individuality  and  courage  of  per- 
sonal opinions,  as  shown  in  our  discussions  by  expressions  of 
widely  differing  sentiments  in  the  strongest,  if  not  always  the 
wisest  terms,  and  yet  without  offense  to  any ;  and  this  courage 
of  opinion  implies  that  this  growing  spirit  of  good  will  begets 
also  toleration.  It  would  be  a  sad  spectacle  indeed  to  see  200 
women  with  but  a  single  thought.  The  Club  has  a  right  to 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  63 

expect  to  be  placed  in  a  home  of  comfort  and  attractiveness, 
at  the  same  time  sacrificing  nothing  of  its  practical  character, 
to  that  which  is  solely  aesthetic. 

Let  us  have  a  new  organization  composed  of  all  the 
heads  of  all  the  associations  of  women  in  the  city — and  they 
number  between  15  and  20 — whose  object  shall  be  to  establish 
first,  fraternal  relations,  to  put  us  in  sympathy  with  each 
other,  to  enable  us  to  know  what  each  is  doing  and  what  each 
desires  to  do;  to  applaud  and  encourage,  to  build  up  and  not 
tear  down,  to  lend  a  hand  wherever  possible  for  the  advance- 
ment of  each  other's  work ;  to  prevent  clashing  or  overlapping 
or  duplicating  any  work.  If  such  an  organization  of  organi- 
zations could  be  formed,  its  membership  composed  of  the  offi- 
cial boards  of  each,  having  meetings  quarterly,  semi-annually 
or  even  annually  only,  at  which  reports  of  work  could  be 
made,  counsel  and  aid  asked  and  given,  it  would  broaden  both 
our  intelligence  and  our  sympathies  and  what  a  potent  agent 
it  would  be  for  the  centralization  of  woman's  power  as  a  fac- 
tor in  the  moral  growth  of  this  city ;  and  through  this  co-ordi- 
nating process  a  plan  might  be  easily  devised  which  would 
result  eventually  in  a  woman's  building  in  which  could  be 
domiciled  all  the  various  organizations  of  women." 


64  ANNALS  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  III. 

1887  TO  1892. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  second  decade  the  Club  num- 
bered over  two  hundred  members.  December  14,  1887,  the 
Board  voted  that  the  subject  of  limiting  the  number  of  mem- 
bers to  three  hundred  be  brought  before  the  Club,  the  Board 
being  unanimously  in  favor  of  such  limitation.  The  approval 
of  the  Club  was  requested  at  a  special  meeting  held  January 
4,  1881,  which  was  refused  with  the  expression  that  the  Club  was 
not  in  favor  of  any  limitation. 

On  February  8,  Dr.  Stevenson  proposed  as  an  amend- 
ment to  the  constitution  that  no  member  be  allowed  to  pre- 
sent more  than  one  member  annually;  that  new  members 
must  wait  two  years  before  proposing  a  candidate;  this 
amendment  was  supported  by  the  Board  with  nine  to  six 
votes,  but  failed  of  approval  by  the  Club. 

April  11,  1888,  the  following  proposition  was  sub- 
mitted by  Mrs.  Tuley  to  the  Board  for  consideration,  look- 
ing toward  a  more  careful  selection  of  new  members  and 
thus  inducing  a  slower  and  sounder  growth  of  the  Club: 
"I.  A  definite  number  of  admissions  for  the  first  year 
may  be  decided  upon  by  the  directors,  the  number  express- 
ing the  limit  of  what  the  directors  shall  think  consonant  with 
a  healthy  expansion  of  the  Club;  say,  thirty-six  or  thirty 
for  the  ensuing  Club  year.  II.  That  each  committee  be 
allowed  the  same  proportion  of  admissions  (but  that  a  special 
arrangement  might  be  made  between  committees,  so  that  if 
one  needed  more  members  and  another  fewer  they  might 
exchange  so  that  the  sum  total  should  be  the  same).  III. 
That  the  merits  of  members  for  any  special  committee  be 
first  canvassed  by  the  committee,  and  if  a  majority  are  in 
favor  of  such  member,  that  the  name  be  submitted  to  the 
Board  for  its  final  decision.  The  fitness  of  new  members 
for  any  special  work  could  be  thus  better  determined  and  we 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  65 

should  have  fewer  merely  nominal  members  of  the  com- 
mittees. The  first  and  second  terms  of  the  proposition  con- 
tain the  main  idea;  the  third  might  be  left  for  future  deci- 
sion, but  a  sufficient  trial  shall  have  been  given  to  the  new 
departure." 

March  28,  1888,  a  paper  on  education  in  India  was  read 
by  Mrs.  Marean,  presenting  the  claim  of  the  Pundita  Rama- 
bai  to  the  interest  and  support  of  members  of  the  Club. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  the  interest  in  her  work,  and  of 
the  raising  of  a  fund  to  help  her.  April  8,  1888,  communi- 
cations were  read  from  the  matron  of  the  Home  for  Self- 
Supporting  Women,  thanking  the  Club  for  donations.  Mrs. 
Heywood  reported  the  conditions  for  joining  the  Youth's 
Employment  and  Aid  Association  were  a  contribution  to  its 
treasury,  and  the  appointment  of  three  delegates  who  should 
serve  on  the  advisory  board  of  the  association.  The  con- 
tributions having  already  been  made,  it  was  voted  that  the 
Club  connect  itself  with  the  association  and  appoint  three 
representatives.  May  9,  1888,  it  was  resolved  that  the  dif- 
ferent associations  originating  in  the  Women's  Club  have 
space  given  them  in  the  Club  calendar  for  the  announce- 
ment of  their  regular  meetings,  and  that  they  be  requested 
to  appoint  such  meetings  for  some  other  day  than  Wednes- 
day. The  first  Club  custodian  was  appointed  in  1888. 

At  the  Board  meeting  of  May  9,  1888,  Dr.  Bedell  sub- 
mitted to  the  Board  a  proposition  for  the  formation  of  a 
Woman's  League,  to  be  composed  of  the  officers  of  the 
various  organizations  of  women  in  the  city,  by  means  of  which 
each  organization  might  be  reached  when  there  was  occasion 
for  it.  Believing  that  the  time  was  ripe  for  it,  she  suggested 
that  the  Women's  Club  call  a  mass  meeting  and  take  the 
initiative  in  the  matter,  proposing  a  central  organization, 
which  should  not  affect  the  individuality  of  any,  but  seek  to 
further  the  interests  of  all.  It  was  voted  that  the  fourth 
Wednesday  in  May  be  used  for  this  purpose,  the  chairman, 
Dr.  Bedell,  to  have  full  power  to  select  her  own  committee 


66  ANNALS  OF  THE 

and  prepare  for  the  day.  In  accordance  with  a  call  issued  by 
the  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  representatives  of 
fifty-six  women's  associations  met  in  the  rooms  of  the  Chicago 
Women's  Club,  May  23.  The  President,  Mrs.  Celia  Parker 
Woolley,  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting  and  called  on  Dr. 
Bedell  as  chairman  of  the  committee  to  further  explain  the 
aim  of  the  call.  Dr.  Bedell  answered  the  three  questions: 
Who  originated  this?  What  motive  brings  us  here?  and 
What  will  be  the  results?  "No  one  started  the  movement — 
or  in  other  words  every  one  started  it.  It  was  spontaneous, 
coming  from  the  need.  After  passing  through  the  various 
stages  of  analysis,  the  great  word  must  be  synthesis,  and  it 
is  time  that  the  leaders  in  philanthropic  work  join  hands  in 
council.  The  motive  in  this  organization,  as  in  the  different 
bodies  composing  it,  was  the  uplifting  of  humanity.  We  ex- 
pect from  it  growth,  broadening  and  the  better  understand- 
ing, that  each  work  we  are  now  doing  separately  is  a  part  in 
the  great  harmony  of  universal  progress."  The  meeting  went 
into  executive  session,  and  Dr.  Bedell  was  elected  temporary 
chairman  with  Mrs.  Marean  as  clerk.  The  organization  re- 
sulting from  this  meeting  was  called  the  Woman's  League. 
On  the  14th  of  November  by  vote  of  the  Board,  the  Club 
allied  itself  with  this  Woman's  League,  composed  of  the  of- 
ficers of  all  the  different  associations  of  women  in  Chicago 
who  wished  to  join  it.  The  Woman's  League  was  given  per- 
mission to  hold  its  meetings  in  the  Women's  Club  rooms. 

January  11,  1888,  it  was  voted  that  Professor  John  Fiske 
be  invited  to  lecture  before  the  Club,  and  that  the  surplus  of 
receipts  be  given  to  the  Protective  Agency.  The  President 
also  announced  a  special  meeting  for  February  9,  to  be  ad- 
dressed by  Mr.  Charles  B.  Holmes,  president  of  the  Youths' 
Training  and  Employment  Association,  and  others  of  the  pro- 
posed training  school  for  boys. 

February  9,  1888,  Mrs.  Remick,  chairman  of  the  Educa- 
tion Committee,  presented  for  discussion  the  subject  of  the 
proposed  public  meeting  concerning  women  on  school  boards, 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  67 

for  which  Central  Music  Hall  was  engaged.  March  21,  1888, 
Mrs.  W.  O.  Carpenter,  Dr.  Stevenson  and  Mrs.  Coonley  were 
appointed  to  represent  the  club  in  the  Women's  International 
Congress  at  Washington. 

We  quote  from  the  report  of  the  Philanthropy  Committee 
dated  May,  1888:  "It  is  the  duty  of  someone  to  see  that 
criminals  are  not  defrauded  of  their  rights,  that  is,  that  they 
occupy  clean,  well  ventilated  cells,  have  wholesome  and  suf- 
ficient food,  and  are  kept  from  the  contaminating  influences 
of  those  more  steeped  in  crime  than  themselves.  The  Phi- 
lanthropy Committee  began  its  work  in  the  County  Jail  in 
1883  as  a  whole  Committee."  At  the  same  meeting  the  Com- 
mittee on  Philosophy  and  Science  reported:  "The  youngest 
of  six  committees  hopes  that  it  has  already  given  evidence  to 
the  Club  that  its  existence  is  justified,  and  that  although  its 
reputation  is  on  the  side  of  the  theoretical  and  speculative, 
rather  than  of  the  executive  and  practical,  yet  even  as  such 
it  is  not  without  value  to  the  Club." 

November  5,  1890,  the  following  article  appeared  in  the 
Chicago  Herald :  "When  the  Club  had  reached  its  tenth  year 
and  a  membership  of  over  two  hundred  the  forming  of 
a  new  department  was  proposed,  a  department  of  Philosophy 
and  Science,  There  was  at  first  a  loud  protest  against  the 
department  from  the  majority.  Speculative  philosophy 
hinted  of  visionary  theories  and  the  idle  play  of  idle  minds. 
The  Club  countenanced  workers,  not  dreamers.  Elated  by 
its  proud  attainments,  it  desired  {o  push  on  in  its  work  still 
more  vigorously ;  but  philosophers,  however  small  in  number, 
are  never  awed  by  majorities  or  masses,  nor  by  the  imposing 
array  of  practical  deeds.  Admitting  without  question  the 
value  of  those,  they  knew  after  all  that  wisdom  was  the  prin- 
cipal thing;  that  zeal  was  good,  but  was  at  its  best  only  after 
calm  deliberation  and  with  a  knoweldge  of  the  principles 
which  underlie  successful  modes  of  action.  The  new  depart- 
ment began  its  work  with  the  study  of  political  science  with 
special  reference  to  our  own  government,  although  including 


68  ANNALS  OF  THE 

a  study  of  other  governments  as  contributing  to  a  knowledge 
of  our  own.  After  four  years  the  increasing  size  and  interest 
of  this  department  warranted  the  formation  of  two  classes, 
one  devoted  to  the  study  of  speculative  philosphy  in  its  most 
abstract  forms,  the  other  to  the  study  of  geology,  especially 
that  of  the  vicinity  of  Chicago, — a  field  of  unusual  interest  to 
the  geologist.  That  the  work  of  this  latter  class  was  of  a 
scientific  order  far  beyond  the  ordinary  is  evident  from  a  paper 
by  one  of  its  members  published  in  a  recent  number  of  Har- 
per's Magazine  and  copied  widely  by  other  journals — the 
paper  is  as  artistic  in  form  as  it  is  scientific  in  content.  The 
Chicago  Women's  Club  now  numbers  more  than  four  hun- 
dred members.  Its  prosperity  is  due  to  its  flexibility  no  less 
than  to  its  firmness  of  purpose;  to  the  harmony  that  comes 
from  the  reconciliation  of  widely  opposing  elements,  and 
above  all  to  the  conscientious  action  of  its  individual  mem- 
bers, and  the  readiness  to  sink  personal  and  petty  interests 
for  the  general  welfare  of  the  Club.  That  it  has  sometimes 
made  mistakes  and  will  continue  to  do  so  is  only  too  evident. 

"Es  irrt  der  Mensch  so  lang  er  strebt", 

but  in  the  main,  its  work  and  influence  are  on  the  side  of 
right,  and  its  weal  and  prosperity  mean  further  good  to  our 
city,  which  stands  in  need  of  many  similar  clubs." 

November  28,  1888,  a  meeting  was  held  to  discuss  means 
of  securing  the  enforcement  of  the  compulsory  education  laws. 
Mrs.  Remick  read  a  resolution  to  be  presented  in  the  name  of 
the  Club  to  the  Board  of  Education,  asking  that  necessary 
measures  be  taken  to  secure  the  enforcement  of  the  Illinois 
statute  of  1883,  which  provided  for  compulsory  education. 
At  the  Board  meeting  of  the  following  month  a  communica- 
tion was  received  from  the  Board  of  Education  acknowledg- 
ing the  receipt  of  the  petition  touching  the  enforcement  of 
the  Compulsory  Education  Act,  and  reporting  that  it  had 
been  referred  to  a  committee. 

The  annual  report  of  March  6,  1889,  states: 

The  most  vigorous  movement  which  demanded  the  co- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  69 

operation  of  club  members  was  reported  by  the  Home  Com- 
mittee. It  speaks  for  itself  under  the  name  of  the  Society  for 
the  Promotion  of  Physical  Culture  and  Correct  Dress.  Its 
adoption  by  the  Home  Committee  received  the  approval  of 
the  Board  May  14,  1888,  and  since  that  time  it  has  grown  to 
such  proportions  that  it  seems  almost  more  fitting  to  speak  of 
it  as  a  sister  society  than  as  a  department  of  our  own  work. 

At  the  Board  meeting,  February  13,  1889,  a  communica- 
tion was  presented  from  Sorosis  of  New  York  calling  a  con- 
vention of  delegates  from  women's  clubs,  and  on  February 
19,  1889,  Dr.  Julia  Holmes  Smith  was  appointed  as  the  dele- 
gate to  represent  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  at  the  conven- 
tion, with  Mrs.  Harvey  as  alternate. 

March  6, 1889,  Mrs.  Woolley  said  in  her  president's  report : 
"From  the  beginning  the  Club  has  been  gaining,  at  first 
slowly,  and  of  late  more  rapidly,  in  active  philanthropic  work, 
and  in  public  service,  until  today  it  stands  second  to  no  other 
organization  in  the  city,  in  its  labors  for  the  general  good  and 
progress  of  the  community.  The  Women's  Club  is  essen- 
tially a  practical  organization,  made  up  of  earnest,  intelligent 
women,  banded  together  not  in  the  mere  pursuit  of  intel- 
lectual culture,  but  to  promote  the  higher  ends  of  a  purer 
social  state  and  the  true  enlightenment  of  mankind,  founded  on 
justice  and  human  brotherhood.  We  may  count  it  also  as  a 
sign  of  gaining  public  recognition  of  our  work,  that  the  Club 
was  invited  to  send  delegates  to  the  Tariff  Reform  Conven- 
tion recently  held  in  this  city." 

The  records  show  that  the  Club  worked  faithfully  from 
the  beginning  of  its  organization  for  the  placing  of  women 
on  the  School  Board.  March  6,  1889,  the  Education  Committee 
made  a  full  report  of  its  efforts  in  this  direction,  and  in  regard 
to  the  obtaining  of  necessary  legislation  for  compulsory  edu- 
cation and  enforcement  of  the  law.  To  this  end  a  petition 
was  also  presented  by  the  Club  to  the  Mayor  and  City  Coun- 
cil. April  3,  1889,  an  informal  report  of  the  Compulsory  Edu- 
cation Bill  was  read  which  was  followed  by  commendatory 


70  ANNALS  OF  THE 

remarks  upon  the  work  of  the  women  who  represented  us  at 
Springfield.  April  24,  the  Chairman  again  presented  the  mat- 
ter of  securing  the  appointment  of  women  on  the  school  board. 
Mrs.  Flower  had  consented  to  allow  her  name  to  be  used  as 
a  candidate  if  the  Committee  and  Club  were  willing  to  en- 
dorse her,  after  the  statement  that  she  was  opposed  to  "fads", 
though  deeply  convinced  of  the  value  of  manual  training. 
April  16,  1890,  the  attention  of  the  members  was  called  to  a 
petition  to  be  sent  to  the  Mayor  on  behalf  of  the  appointment 
of  women  on  the  school  boards.  Many  signatures  were  se- 
cured for  the  petition,  which  read  as  follows : 
"To  the  Hon.  De  Witt  C.  Cregier,  Mayor  of  Chicago: 

As  the  terms  of  office  of  five  members  of  the  Board  of 
Education  are  about  to  expire,  we  the  undersigned  citizens 
of  Chicago,  respectfully  urge  upon  your  Honor  that  such 
positions,  or  some  of  them,  be  filled  by  prominent  and  capable 
women,  for  the  following  among  other  reasons : 

1.  The  interest  of  the  women  of  Chicago  in  all  that  per- 
tains to  education,  whether  as  mothers,  teachers  or  citizens, 
being  as  great  as  that  of  men,  entitles  them  to  a  voice  in  all 
that  concerns  the  public  schools  of  our  city. 

2.  Women  have  shown  such  superior  ability,  fitness  and 
fidelity  whenever  entrusted  with  a  share  in  educational  work, 
as  teachers,  principals  of  schools,  school  superintendents  or 
trustees,  as  to  entitle  them  to  still  higher  positions  of  trust. 

3.  The  joint  action  of  women  and  men  on  school  boards, 
has  in  point  of  fact  justified  the  acceptance  of  women  for 
such  positions  wherever  tried;  notably  on  the  school  boards 
of  London,  Boston,  New  York,  Cambridge  and  Philadelphia. 

4.  There  are  1,680  women  to  70  men  teachers  in  the 
public  schools  of  Chicago.     The   interests  of  these  women 
should  not  be  confided  entirely  to  men. 

5.  Much  of  the  work  of  the  standing  committees  of  our 
Board  of  Education  such  as  that  pertaining  to  rules  and  regu- 
lations,  special   studies,   text-books,  courses   of  instruction, 
salaries  and  appointment  of  teachers,  libraries,  and  the  sani- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  71 

tary  condition  of  schools,  needs  and  should  have  the  counsel 
and  action  of  women  as  well  as  of  men. 

6.  As  the  single  appointment  of  a  woman  on  the  Chi- 
cago Board,  one  year  ago,  has  been  justified  by  experience, 
we  would  respectfully  ask  his  Honor,  the  Mayor,  to  continue 
the  work  begun  by  his  predecessor,  and  increase  the  repre- 
sentation of  women." 

In  reviewing  the  difficulties  encountered  by  the  commit- 
tee, a  member  writes  as  follows:  "The  Board  of  Education 
opposed  the  stirring  up  of  the  compulsory  education  idea. 
Even  lawyers  had  to  be  convinced  that  there  was  a  com- 
pulsory education  law  in  existence.  The  Committee  appealed 
to  the  clergy  of  the  city  and  compulsory  education  became 
a  frequent  theme  in  Chicago  pulpits.  Short  articles  fur- 
nished to  the  press  and  occasional  editorials  prepared  the 
public  mind  to  demand  a  new  and  thorough  law.  After  con- 
ferring with  several  organizations,  which  were  also  con- 
sidering the  subject,  your  committee  was  invited  to  co- 
operate with  one  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Education.  A 
large  number  of  citizens  from  various  organizations  was 
appointed  at  the  first  meeting  to  take  charge  of  the  new  bill, 
and  if  necessary  to  go  to  Springfield  to  confer  with  the  Leg- 
islature. With  the  passing  of  the  Compulsory  Education 
Bill  at  Springfield,  the  work  of  the  Club  in  that  direction 
was  lessened,  and  the  Truant  Aid  Committee  came  into  ex- 
istence." 

October  23,  1889,  a  committee  of  six  was  appointed  to 
collect  clothing  for  destitute  women  and  children,  to  be  dis- 
tributed by  the  Board  of  Education,  and  the  committee  was 
instructed  to  invite  the  various  societies  already  interested 
in  this  work  to  co-operate.  The  Truant  Aid  was  thus  or- 
ganized in  October,  1889,  in  the  Chicago  Women's  Club. 
Through  Mrs.  Ellen  Mitchell  of  the  School  Board,  the  Truant 
Aid  Committee  was  given  permission  to  use  a  basement  room 
in  the  Scammon  School  as  a  general  supply  and  work  room. 
Lists  of  children  requiring  aid  were  furnished  by  the  depart- 


72  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ment  of  compulsory  education  and  the  truant  agents  were  in  con- 
stant communication  with  the  committee.  The  Truant  Aid 
Committee  was  mainly  composed  of  members  of  the  Chicago 
Women's  Club,  though  from  the  first  it  received  aid  from 
women  outside  the  Club.  November  5,  1890,  Mrs.  Tuley, 
chairman  of  the  Truant  Aid  Committee,  gave  a  report  on  the 
work  for  the  season  beginning  November  23,  1889,  and  end- 
ing April  12,  1890,  in  which  time  406  children  were  clothed, 
who  otherwise  would  have  been  unable  to  attend  school,  the 
distributing  point  for  this  work  being  the  Scammon  School 
branch.  A  matinee  was  given  November  20  at  Hooley's 
Theatre  (now  Powers'  Theatre),  to  raise  funds  for  the  work 
of  the  committee.  November  25,  1891,  a  request  for  clothing 
for  destitute  children  was  made  and  information  given  to 
the  Club,  that  all  clothing  should  be  sent  to  the  Haven  School. 

February  25,  1891,  a  meeting  was  called  for  the  discus- 
sion of  measures  necessary  to  prevent  the  repeal  of  the  com- 
pulsory education  law;  to  hear  a  statement  of  the  condition 
of  the  school  building  at  Glenwood;  and  to  give  some  explana- 
tion of  the  new  method  adopted  by  the  board,  for  voting  for 
officers  and  directors  for  the  coming  year.  Mrs.  Tuley  spoke 
upon  the  compulsory  education  law,  and  reported  what  had 
been  done  to  prevent  its  repeal.  Mrs.  F.  W.  Parker  con- 
tinued the  discussion  and  read  the  present  law,  which  was  in 
danger  of  repeal,  also  an  amendment  to  the  law,  which  it 
was  hoped  would  provoke  less  opposition  than  the  original 
law. 

A  petition  of  the  Education  Committee  to  the  Board 
of  Education  April  1,  1891,  reads  as  follows: 

"Whereas,  the  undersigned,  your  petitioners,  members 
of  the  Education  Committee  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club, 
have,  in  connection  with  the  work  undertaken  by  them,  been 
brought  into  contact  with  children  of  the  less  favored  classes 
of  our  city,  and  especially  through  work  in  the  following 
channels,  to-wit:  The  Truant  Aid  Committee  (to  help 
clothe  the  destitute  children,  that,  they  may  be  able  to  attend 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  73 

our  public  schools)  the  Saturday  mission  schools  of  Chicago, 
where  the  teaching  of  industries  is  attempted,  the  charitable 
industrial  schools  of  the  county  (to  which  children  from  the 
streets  of  our  city  are  sent)  ; 

And  Whereas,  from  the  experience  and  knowledge  thus 
gained,  we  have  become  impressed  with  the  following  facts: 
First,  that  for  these  at  least,  if  not  for  all,  industrial  educa- 
tion is  a  necessity  to  prepare  them  for  the  active  duties  of 
life,  as  intelligent  laborers  and  good  citizens,  and  to  develop 
in  them  the  power  that  comes  from  cultivation,  of  the  cre- 
ative faculties,  together  with  the  intellectual  forces;  and, 
secondly,  that  the  accomplishment  of  this  must  come  through 
our  public  schools,  other  agencies  being  inadequate;  and 
thirdly,  that  to  place  this  class  of  children,  many  of  whom 
are  entered  under  the  compulsory  education  act,  in  the  graded 
schools  of  the  city,  as  they  now  exist,  is  an  injustice  to  the 
children  and  an  injury  to  the  schools; 

And  Whereas,  your  petitioners,  while  disapproving  of 
class  schools  and  believing  that  industrial  education  should 
be  a  part  of  our  educational  system  open  to  all,  yet  at  the 
same  time  realizing  that  universal  adoption  can  only  come 
after  experimental  proof  of  value,  and  realizing  as  well  the 
importance  of  immediate  or  speedy  introduction  of  industrial 
education  to  a  limited  extent,  as  a  basis  for  acquiring  an  ex- 
perimental knowledge  of  its  working,  and  to  meet  the  press- 
ing needs  of  this  class  of  children  who  cannot  await  its  gen- 
eral introduction; 

And  Whereas,  your  petitioners  are  encouraged  in  pre- 
senting this  request  by  the  belief  that  the  superintendent's 
department  of  public  instruction  in  this  city  favors  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  limited  number  of  schools  with  modified 
English  course  of  manual  training; 

Now,  Therefore :  We,  the  undersigned,  respectfully  pe- 
tition your  honorable  body  to  establish  one  or  more  schools, 
or  to  add  departments  to  schools  already  existing,  with  such 
English  and  manual  training  courses  in  such  neighborhood 


74  ANNALS  OF  THE 

or  neighborhoods  as  are  in  the  greatest  need  thereof.  In 
connection  with  the  petition,  your  petitioners  beg  leave  to 
suggest  that  the  system  of  wood-work  known  as  sloyd, 
including  mechanical  and  free  hand  drawing,  be  introduced 
into  such  schools,  and  also  that  said  schools  or  departments 
may  be  open  to  all  pupils  of  the  district  in  which  they  may 
be  located,  whose  parents  shall  elect  to  send  them." 

During  the  Club  year  1888  and  1889  a  regular  meeting  on 
the  fourth  Wednesday  was  instituted,  for  presentation  of 
such  general  business  as  may  be  of  interest  to  the  Club. 
During  the  year  there  were  more  than  three  hundred  guests 
at  the  regular  literary  meetings,  among  them  Harriet 
Hosmer,  to  whom  the  Club  tendered  a  reception  on  April 
11,  1889,  to  which  about  six  hundred  invitations  were  issued. 
April  17,  1889,  Harriet  Hosmer  was  made  an  honorary 
member  of  the  Club.  Julia  Ward  Howe,  who  was  pres- 
ent on  this  occasion,  was  received  with  hearty  applause. 
May  15,  1889,  Ella  Flagg  Young  read  a  paper  on  "What  shall 
our  Public  Schools  aim  to  accomplish?" 

September  24,  1889,  the  board  voted  to  express  approval 
of  a  plan  to  raise  $2,500.00,  for  the  Protective  Agency,  and 
the  president  was  instructed  to  present  the  matter  to  the 
Club.  This  was  done  October  16,  1889,  and  the  attention 
of  the  Club  was  called  to  the  Protective  Agency  for  Women 
and  Children  as  its  child,  to  the  good  work  being  done  by 
the  organization  and  to  the  obvious  necessity  for  funds. 
November  20,  1889,  the  committee  on  program  reported  that 
the  fourth  Wednesday  of  November  would  be  given  to  a 
consideration  of  the  question,  whether  the  Protective  Agency 
should  become  a  separate  organization.  At  this  meeting  the 
Protective  Agency  submitted  to  the  Club  a  full  account  of  its 
work,  and  expressed  the  conviction  through  its  treasurer, 
Mrs.  Henrotin,  that  hereafter  the  work  could  be  better  ac- 
complished as  an  independent  organization.  The  dissolution 
of  the  relation  between  The  Chicago  Women's  Club  and 
the  Protective  Agency  was  decided  upon.  As  an  evidence  of 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  75 

good  will  the  Club  made  plans  for  two  lectures  by  Mr.  Per- 
cival  Chubb  to  be  given  in  January  for  the  benefit  of  the 
Protective  Agency.  At  a  later  date  Professor  Thomas  Dav- 
idson also  lectured  for  the  benefit  of  the  Protective  Agency 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Club. 

In  1890,  the  President  announced  that  the  Club  was  ad- 
vised to  avoid  any  special  legislation  that  should  foster  and 
help  auxiliary  societies  in  perpetuity.  The  duty  of  the  Club 
was  to  let  societies  started  by  the  Club  stand  upon  their 
own  feet  as  soon  as  possible. 

Frank  B.  Sanborn  of  Concord  lectured  before  the 
Club  at  this  time  upon  "The  Philosophy  of  Philanthropy." 
November  5,  1890,  a  plea  was  read  asking  the  members  of 
the  Club  to  assist  in  raising  a  fund  for  the  endowment  of 
the  Maria  Mitchell  chair  in  Vassar  College.  The  speaker 
paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  Maria  Mitchell  as  a  scientist  and 
a  woman.  Mrs.  Tuley  moved  that  the  President  be  author- 
ized to  appoint  a  committee  to  consider  the  matter  and  bring 
it  before  the  Club.  This  was  done,  and  $1,140.00  was  con- 
tributed by  the  members  of  the  Club  toward  the  fund. 

The  Philanthropy  Committee  reported  as  follows  at  the 
annual  meeting  in  1890:  "At  the  police  stations  there  is 
much  to  be  done  for  a  committee  with  a  heart  in  the  work. 
The  questions  of  sewerage  and  ventilation  are  always  to  be 
kept  in  mind.  Our  members  have  long  deplored  the  dis- 
comfort and  illness  occasioned  by  women  being  allowed  to 
work  out  small  fines  at  the  stations,  and  we  rejoice  that  their 
efforts  in  this  direction  have  led  to  the  abandonment  of  that 
privilege.  The  practice  of  conveying  women  to  the  House  of 
Correction  in  the  small  omnibus  with  men,  was  unwarranted, 
as  an  omnibus  for  women  exclusively  had  long  ago  been 
provided.  The  women  are  once  more  sent  by  themselves. 
It  is  officially  stated  that  an  average  of  twelve  women  are 
released  from  Joliet  prison  in  a  year,  left  adrift  in  nearly  all 
cases.  The  majority  of  them  come  directly  to  Chicago.  There 
is  a  home — or  at  least  an  abiding  place — in  the  city,  for  re- 


76  ANNALS  OF  THE 

leased  male  convicts,  but  none  for  women.  Adequate  praise 
cannot  be  given  for  the  high  order  of  philanthropic  work  es- 
tablished and  being  carried  on  by  two  of  our  members,  Miss 
Addams  and  Miss  Starr.  Enough  is  not  known  by  the 
Women's  Club  of  what  these  brave  women  are  striving  to 
accomplish.  We  strenuously  urge  all  to  make  it  a  first  duty 
to  become  better  acquainted  with  their  aims  and  methods." 

The  Philanthropy  Department  again  reported  in  1892: 
"Appropriations  have  been  made,  and  an  additional  matron 
appointed,  making  three,  who  now  serve  a  watch  of  eight 
hours  each,  with  uniform  salary  of  fifty  dollars  per  month. 
Women  and  children  for  various  reasons  find  temporary  shel- 
ter within  the  walls  of  the  police  stations.  Believing  that 
the  many  sided  interests  of  these  unfortunates  might  best  be 
studied  by  women,  whose  hearts  were  already  warmly  in  the 
cause,  and  who  could  bring  to  the  work,  time  and  patience, 
as  well  as  long  experience,  Maj.  R.  W.  McClaughry,  the  new 
Superintendent  of  Police,  called  together  representative 
women  from  several  of  the  leading  organizations  and  formed 
for  himself  an  advisory  board.  This  action  was  remarkable 
from  the  fact  that  it  is  the  first,  and  only  time  in  the  history 
of  this  country,  and  so  far  as  I  know,  of  any  other  country, 
in  which  a  board  of  non-franchised  women  has  been  called 
to  consult  in  municipal  affairs.  The  peculiar  work  of  the 
board  is  'to  pass  upon  the  qualifications  of  the  matrons,  and 
to  exercise  a  supervisory  control  over  the  work.'  This  action 
was  most  appropriate,  since  it  was  solely  through  these 
women's  organizations  that  police  matrons  were  first  ap- 
pointed. Instruction  was  given  to  this  board  to  better  the 
service.  Mrs.  Jane  Logan  consented  to  be  appointed  as  po- 
lice matron,  and  was  detailed  to  act  as  'Agent  of  the  Advis- 
ory Board/  giving  her  entire  time  days  and  many  nights, 
to  visiting  the  different  stations  and  reporting  upon  the 
conditions  and  necessities." 

A  complete  investigation  was  made  of  every  station  in 
which  women  and  children  were  received,  including  the  Lar- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CUJB  77 

rabee  Street  Station,  where  a  matron  was  detailed  for  day 
duty,  the  Stock  Yards  Station,  Hyde  Park,  Englewood,  Des 
Plaines  Street,  Maxwell  Street,  and  Harrison  Street  Annex. 
At  all  of  these  stations  a  room  was  secured  for  a  matron,  and 
much  was  done  to  provide  better  accommodations  for  wit- 
nesses, as  well  as  for  prisoners. 

October  10,  1888,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Art  and  Litera- 
ture Committee,  Caroline  S.  Twyman  read  a  paper  out- 
lining practical  work  in  the  form  of  artistic  and  literary  en- 
tertainments to  be  given  for  the  working  women  of  the  city. 
The  project  was  left  for  future  consideration,  and  ten  years 
later  Mrs.  Martha  Foote  Crow  started  the  Sunday  after- 
noon meetings  for  the  clubs  of  working  girls.  At  a  meeting 
of  the  committee  January  2,  1889,  Julia  P.  Shreve  pro- 
posed the  encouragement  of  the  study  of  architecture  among 
women,  with  the  ultimate  object  of  establishing  an  architec- 
tural school  in  Chicago.  Other  projects  suggesetd  were  to 
supplement  the  work  of  the  Industrial  Art  Association  by 
establishing  a  summer  school  for  girls,  and  by  supporting 
a  school  for  industrial  art  at  Norwood  Park.  It  was  further 
decided  that  the  first  Wednesday  of  each  month  be  set  aside 
for  a  business  meeting,  the  other  Wednesdays  for  study;  it 
was  also  decided  that  money  was  necessary  for  the  further- 
ance of  practical  work,  and  that  a  fund  be  raised  by  sub- 
scriptions from  members  of  the  committee  and  by  lectures. 
February  6,  1889,  it  was  voted  that  a  letter  be  written, 
signed  by  the  members  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Committee, 
and  at  least  one  hundred  other  members  of  the  Club,  asking 
that  when  the  school  for  architecture  shall  be  established,  that 
women  be  admitted  to  it. 

From  the  report  of  Julia  P.  Shreve,  chairman  of 
the  Art  and  Literature  Committee,  to  the  annual  meeting, 
1890,  the  following  is  quoted:  "Early  in  the  year,  when  there 
was  an  idea  that  there  would  be  an  architectural  school  in 
this  city,  your  committee  instructed  the  chairman  to  write 
to  the  president  of  the  Architectural  Sketch  Club  a  request, 


78  ANNALS  OF  THE 

that  in  planning  the  work  all  rights  and  privileges  should  be 
accorded  to  women.  No  answer  was  received,  but  I  under- 
stand that  opportunities  for  such  study  are  opened  to  all 
in  the  architectural  room  in  the  Art  Institute.  Thinking, 
however,  that  it  might  interest  all  to  unite  in  a  definite  ob- 
ject for  the  advance  of  art  generally,  and  for  the  improve- 
ment of  artistic  taste,  and  to  do  it  in  a  line  that  would  har- 
monize with  the  spirit  and  intent  of  the  Club,  as  well  as 
extend  its  influence  and  power  for  good,  we  proposed  to 
raise  the  money  for  the  endowment  of  a  scholarship  at  the 
Art  Institute,  securing  to  ourselves  the  power  of  permanently 
benefiting  some  of  our  sisters.  Many  of  our  members  were 
interested  in  the  object  and  voluntary  subscriptions  were 
given  to  the  amount  of  five  hundred  dollars.  The  amount 
necessary  is  fifteen  hundred  dollars,  and  we  do  not  despair 
of  raising  it,  and  presenting  the  power  of  endowment  to  the 
Club  at  a  not  far  distant  date.  We  have  arranged  with  Pro- 
fessor Davidson  to  give  two  lectures  for  us  at  the  end  of  April." 

October  8,  1890,  it  was  voted  that  each  member  of  the 
Art  and  Literature  Committee  be  asked  to  give  or  collect 
$25.00  for  the  Art  Scholarship  Endowment  Fund.  In  Jan- 
uary, 1891,  the  committee  decided  to  give  two  benefit  con- 
certs, one  on  the  north,  and  one  on  the  south  side.  The  re- 
ceipts from  these  musicales  amounted  to  $435.00.  From  a 
reading  by  Mrs.  Sarah  Le  Moyne  for  the  scholarship  fund, 
$351.00  was  received.  On  January  18,  1891,  $95.00  was  still 
lacking.  Members  present  at  this  meeting  made  up  the 
deficit,  and  thus  completed  the  $1500.00  scholarship  fund. 

The  annual  report  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Committee 
for  1891  states:  "In  consultation  with  the  president  and  board 
of  directors  of  the  Art  Institute  of  this  city,  it  was  decided 
that  on  payment  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  the  Art  Institute 
would  guarantee  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  Art  School 
for  one  student  in  perpetuity.  Our  first  effort  to  raise  the 
money  by  subscription  among  ourselves  not  being  sufficient, 
we  deemed  it  advisable  to  give  some  musicales  to  realize 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  79 

our  amount.  These  have  been  both  socially  and  financially 
very  successful :  We  have  paid  in  one  thousand  dollars,  and 
by  courtesy  of  the  president  of  the  Art  Institute,  the  deed 
was  drawn  up  complete  and  signed,  with  the  assurance  from 
us  to  make  up  the  balance  of  the  payment  very  shortly,  the 
deed  to  be  left  in  the  hands  of  a  trustee,  until  we  do.  So 
that  I  have  now  the  extreme  gratification  of  presenting  to 
you,  Madam  President,  and  to  the  Club  as  a  whole,  from 
the  Committee  of  Art  and  Literature,  the  ownership  of  the 
Chicago  Women's  Club  Scholarship  at  the  Art  Institute,  the 
first  of  the  kind  in  the  city."  At  the  annual  meeting,  March  4, 
1891,  a  vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  the  Art  and  Literature 
Committee  for  raising  a  fund  of  $1500  to  be  used  in  founding 
in  the  name  of  the  Club,  a  scholarship,  which  gives  to  the 
young  woman  having  the  highest  rank  in  drawing  in  the 
high  schools  of  the  city,  the  advantage  of  a  three  years'  course 
at  the  Art  Institute  free  of  tuition.  This  was  changed  November 
27,  1912,  at  the  request  of  W.  M.  R.  French,  to  be  awarded  for 
one  year,  instead  of  for  three  years  in  the  future. 

In  June,  1892,  it  was  voted  that  the  document  of  the  schol- 
arship of  the  Art  Institute  be  placed  with  the  Club  valuables 
in  the  vault,  where  it  still  remains.  In  the  memorial  to  Mrs. 
Shreve  read  October  14,  1890,  it  is  stated:  "She  has  left 
to  the  world  a  legacy:  The  Women's  Club  Art  Scholarship 
in  the  Art  Institute  of  Chicago,  which  was  established  mainly 
through  her  efforts." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Committee  held 
February  24,  1891,  it  was  suggested  that  the  names  of  great 
women  should  be  added  to  those  of  great  men  to  be  inscribed 
on  the  frieze  of  the  new  Public  Library.  It  was  resolved 
that  a  committee  including  the  chairman  of  the  Art  and  Lit- 
erature Committee  confer  with  the  Philosophy  and  Science 
Committee  in  investigating  the  matter. 

Byzantine  Architecture  was  studied  by  the  Department  dur- 
ing the  year  1899-90.  In  the  following  year  the  Department 


80  ANNALS  OF  THE 

studied  the  modern  ideas  that  are  influencing  the  world,  as  ex- 
pressed in  the  leading  articles  of  the  current  magazines. 

During  the  years  1889-90  the  members  of  the  Education 
Committee  furthered  the  industrial  art  movement,  which  had 
been  founded  by  the  joint  action  of  all  the  Club  committees 
late  in  the  fall  of  1886.  The  expense  of  conducting  this  work 
in  connection  with  the  Glenwood  School  for  Boys  alone  was 
$461.33.  With  the  co-operation  of  the  Association,  sloyd 
instruction  was  introduced  in  Chicago.  A  sloyd  depart- 
ment was  established  at  the  Glenwood  School,  and  in  re- 
sponse to  a  request  from  the  National  Educational  Associa- 
tion in  1890,  the  time  of  the  sloyd  teacher,  with  models, 
tools  and  work  bench  was  contributed  to  its  convention.  No- 
vember 25,  1891,  the  chairman  of  the  industrial  education  sec- 
tion said  that  there  was  much  cause  for  congratulation  upon 
the  introduction  of  industrial  work  into  the  public  schools. 
October  22,  1890,  Mrs.  Sarah  A.  Sears  gave  a  brief  review  of  the 
Industrial  Arts  Association  from  the  founding  in  1886,  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Club,  at  the  annual  meeting,  as  the  ques- 
tion to  be  considered  was  the  advisability  of  the  continuance 
of  the  work  the  coming  season  in  view  of  the  fact  of  the 
rapid  progress  in  the  field  of  industrial  education. 

In  June,  1886,  a  joint  committee  from  the  Froebel  As- 
sociation and  the  Education  Committee  of  the  Club,  peti- 
tioned the  Board  of  Education  for  permission  to  place  a 
kindergarten  in  one  of  the  public  schools  (The  Brennan),  at 
the  expense  of  the  Froebel  Association.  The  request  was 
granted  and  two  half-day  sessions  were  established  in  that 
building,  one  supported  by  private  generosity,  the  other  by 
the  Froebel  Association.  In  1887,  the  Education  Depart- 
ment compiled  a  cook  book  of  choice  recipes  furnished  by 
members  of  the  Club;  the  books  were  sold  at  50c  each,  the 
proceeds  given  to  the  support  of  the  kindergarten. 

In  1888,  Mrs.  Remick,  chairman  of  the  Education  Com- 
mittee, reported  that  the  Club  kindergarten  was  in  excellent 
condition.  It  had  been  transferred  to  the  Brighton  School, 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  81 

and  had  fifty  children  under  its  care.  "We  felt  called  upon 
to  do  the  best  work  of  which  the  kindergarten  is  capable. 
We  were  on  trial  before  the  teachers,  the  public  and  the 
Board  of  Education;  the  record  we  made  would  have  much 
weight  in  determining  whether  a  permanent  connection  could 
eventually  be  brought  about  between  the  kindergarten  and 
the  public  school  system.  This  Club  kindergarten  was  the 
first  work  the  Club  had  ever  engaged  in  as  a  Club,  and  it 
was  the  highest  and  best  work  that  could  be  done  for  the  lit- 
tle children." 

The  agitation  for  placing  two  women  on  the  School 
Board  did  not  result  in  their  appointment,  but  a  tangible 
outgrowth  of  the  agitation  was  the  appointment  of  Liz- 
zie Hartney  and  Ella  Flagg  Young  as  assistant  super- 
intendents, the  first  women  to  hold  such  positions  in  Chi- 
cago. Two  duties  were  laid  upon  the  Club,  first  the  awak- 
ening of  a  public  sentiment,  which  should  compel  the  pro- 
viding of  school  accommodations  for  all  children  of  school 
age;  secondly,  the  securing  of  proper  legislation  in  regard 
to  the  enforcement  of  the  Compulsory  Education  Act. 

In  1889,  at  the  November  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors, Mrs.  Sears,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Education, 
moved  that  the  Club  assume  the  support  of  the  club  kinder- 
garten. After  thorough  discussion,  which  seemed  to  indicate  a 
strong  feeling  in  favor  of  the  motion,  it  was  decided  to  ask  the 
Club  to  vote  on  the  question,  the  members  of  the  Board  properly 
feeling  that  an  action  so  important — practically  an  inno- 
vation— should  be  decided  by  the  Club.  Permission  had  been  ob- 
tained to  establish  a  kindergarten  in  the  Kinzie  School  building. 
At  the  meeting  of  January,  1890,  Mrs.  Sears  moved  that  the  Club 
give  $450.00  toward  the  expenses  of  the  Club  kindergarten  for 
the  present  year,  and  pledge  itself  to  give  something  toward 
its  support  every  succeeding  year.  The  first  part  of  this 
motion  was  carried  by  about  two-thirds  majority,  the  sec- 
ond part  being  laid  on  the  table.  The  kindergarten  sub- 
committee with  Mrs.  Tuley  as  chairman  reported  March  4, 


82  ANNALS  OF  THE 

1890,  that  the  kindergarten  in  the  Brighton  School,  corner 
35th  and  Lincoln  Streets,  in  a  room  granted  by  the  Board 
of  Education  was  being  maintained  by  subscriptions.  The 
value  of  the  kindergarten  was  successfully  demonstrated, 
through  the  efforts  of  those  interested,  and  was  thus  help- 
ing to  pave  the  way  toward  the  future  legal  incorporation 
of  the  kindergarten  in  the  public  school  system. 

On  the  same  date  Lucretia  M.  Heywood,  chairman 
of  the  Education  Committee,  reports:  "The  free  kinder- 
garten in  one  of  our  public  schools  was  established  as  early 
as  January,  1884.  Upon  one  member  of  this  Club  and  of 
the  committee,  Katherine  E.  Tuley,  more  than  upon  any 
or  all  others,  has  fallen  the  burden  of  planning  and  devising 
ways  and  means  of  support,  looking  after  teachers,  watching 
the  growth  in  the  management  of  the  school,  making  it  a 
study  from  first  to  last,  supplementing  from  her  own  means 
very  largely  when  from  month  to  month  no  visible  way  of 
support  was  apparent.  Of  this  care,  this  anxiety,  this  labor, 
we  can  never  fully  know." 

At  the  annual  meeting  in  1892,  Mrs.  Flower  reported 
that  the  attorney  for  the  Board  of  Education  declared  that 
the  establishing  of  kindergartens  was  legal  and  that  the  sen- 
timent was  becoming  educated  in  their  favor.  She  also  re- 
ported that  the  School  Children's  Aid  Society  had  clothed  320 
children  and  had  handled  over  $1,100.00. 

In  the  winter  of  1889,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Milton  George  of- 
fered to  deed  their  farm  at  Glenwood  to  the  Illinois  Industrial 
School  for  Boys,  if  $40,000.00  were  raised  for  buildings  and 
equipment.  In  their  first  offer  of  this  farm,  a  much  larger  sum 
had  been  required.  Those  interested  in  the  work  felt  that  this 
offer  should  be  accepted,  and  the  school  provided  with  a  perma- 
nent home.  It  seemed  very  difficult  to  interest  the  busi- 
ness men  of  Chicago  in  this  charity,  probably  because  so 
many  charities  were  clamoring  for  aid.  Mr.  Dudley,  sec- 
retary of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  school,  urged  the 
pressing  needs  of  the  school,  and  asked  different  Chi- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  83 

cago  Women's  Qub  members,  if  the  Club  could  not  be 
induced  to  lend  the  influence  of  its  name  to  further  the 
raising  of  this  money.  After  a  few  members  had  carefully 
considered  the  subject,  it  was  brought  before  the  Education 
Committee  and  immediately  afterward  the  question  was  dis- 
cussed in  all  the  committees  of  the  Club. 

March  20,  1889,  Mrs.  Sears,  Mrs.  Remick  and  others 
spoke  in  behalf  of  the  school  now  called  Norwood  Park,  and  an 
invitation  was  extended  to  the  Club  to  send  representatives  t~> 
the  school  to  investigate  its  methods,  its  results  and  consider 
the  plans  for  a  new  building. 

Mrs.  Marean,  chairman  of  the  Education  Committee,  ob- 
tained the  permission  of  the  board  to  present  to  the  Club, 
on  Wednesday,  April  24,  1889,  the  question  of  the  advisa- 
bility of  the  Club  attempting  to  raise  the  forty  thousand  dol- 
lars needed  to  secure  the  magnificent  gift  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George. 

Before  the  meeting  of  April  24,  the  members  of  the 
Club  and  their  friends  were  invited  to  visit  the  school  at 
Norwood  Park.  A  large  party  went  out  to  the  school.  A 
full  account  of  the  visit  of  the  Club  to  the  school,  and  the 
needs  and  work  of  the  school  was  published  next  morning. 
The  object  of  the  visit  was  to  interest  the  Club  members 
in  the  work  of  the  school  and  to  bring  this  charity  before 
the  public. 

At  the  Club  meeting  April  24,  no  time  was  spent  in 
discussing  the  question  as  to  whether  the  Club  should  under- 
take so  large  an  enterprise  as  the  raising  of  the  forty  thou- 
sand dollars,  but  the  Club  voted  at  once  to  raise  the  money,  ar-  i 
all  discussion  turned  upon  ways  and  means  of  doing  it. 

It  was  voted  to  print  and  circulate  the  appeal  for  the 
Illinois  Industrial  Training  School  for  Boys,  so  familiar  to 
all  Club  members.  At  this  meeting  a  number  of  men  were 
present,  among  them  Judge  Jamieson,  president  of  the  school, 
and  other  members  of  the  board.  Mrs.  Marean  presented  for 
endorsement  the  following  appeal  intended  for  publication  in 
the  daily  papers: 


84  ANNALS  OF  THE 

According  to  the  last  report  of  the  State  Board  of  Pub- 
lic Charities,  Illinois  is  maintaining  470  children  in  her  poor- 
houses,  simply  clothing  and  feeding  them  and  keeping  a  roof 
over  their  heads.  Not  one-half  of  them  are  in  schools,  and 
they  are  growing  up  paupers  and  criminals.  This  same  re- 
port states  that  the  condition  of  the  children  is  deplorable, 
and  that  the  State  of  Illinois  is  far  behind  other  states  in 
her  care  for  dependent  children.  Of  the  200  children  in  our 
Reform  School  at  least  one-half  have  drifted  into  crime 
through  neglect.  There  are  from  twenty-five  to  forty  boys 
in  the  Cook  County  jail,  some  of  whom  are  innocent.  It 
costs  the  state  annually  more  than  $100  per  capita  to  care 
for  these  children,  while  at  the  same  time  they  receive  no 
education,  and  under  present  conditions  must  inevitably  be- 
come paupers  or  criminals.  Such  a  state  of  affairs  may  well 
alarm  thoughtful  men  and  women.  About  two  years  ago  a 
home  for  dependent  children  was  established  through  pri- 
vate benevolence  at  Norwood  Park.  This  is  a  move  in  the 
right  direction,  but  the  home  is  crippled  for  lack  of  money 
and  suitable  accommodations.  This  is  the  only  non-secta- 
rian institution  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  whose  governing 
board  has  complete  control  of  the  children  committed  to  its 
charge.  The  plan  is  to  have  each  boy  transferred  to  a  suit- 
able home  as  soon  as  he  is  qualified  to  give  satisfaction  in 
it,  since  it  is  poor  policy  to  keep  boys  in  institutional  life 
longer  than  is  necessary.  That  would  tend  to  destroy  their 
self-respect,  individuality  of  character,  and  spirit  of  self-de- 
pendence. The  boys  are  instructed  in  the  common  school 
branches  and  it  is  desired  to  have  them  trained  in  agri- 
cultural and  mechanical  pursuits  as  far  as  possible.  To  ac- 
complish this  properly  the  institution  should  be  provided 
with  a  farm  near  Chicago,  where  the  necessary  buildings 
and  shops  could  be  erected.  Cottages  should  be  provided 
that  the  boys  may  be  placed  in  families  of  twenty-five  or 
thirty,  each  cottage  under  separate  supervision,  but  all  under 
the  care  of  the  general  superintendent. 

Now  is  the  opportunity  of  the  school.  Mr.  Milton 
George,  of  this  city,  offers  to  deed  to  it  300  acres  of  land  in 
Glenwood,  near  Chicago,  on  the  condition  that  $40,000  are 
raised  to  furnish  buildings.  This  chance  should  be  appre- 
ciated. The  business  men  of  Chicago  ought  to  realize  that 
for  one-tenth  of  the  actual  cost  of  punishing  crime  the  process 
of  making  criminals  may  be  stayed,  and  join  with  Mr.  George 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  85 

in  accomplishing  this  end.  The  Chicago  Women's  Club 
feels  that  it  is  only  necessary  to  present  these  facts  to  the 
generous  and  public-spirited  men  and  women  of  Chicago  in 
order  to  secure  the  $40,000.  Not  only  do  common  justice 
and  humanity  demand  that  these  dependent  children  be  given 
a  chance  to  grow  into  useful  citizens,  but  the  safety  of  the 
community  requires  it.  Let  us  spend  more  money  for  the 
prevention  of  crime  and  less  for  the  punishment  of  criminals. 

The  Women's  Club  asks  for  subscriptions.  Will  the 
citizens  of  Chicago  respond  to  this  urgent  need,  remembering 
that  what  is  done  must  be  done  promptly,  and  that  each  day 
counts  in  this  work?  Subscriptions  may  be  sent  to  Mrs. 
Marie  C.  Remick,  Chicago  Women's  Club,  Art  Institute 
Building,  or  to  Mr.  John  T.  Chumasero,  No.  148  Market 
Street,  Treasurer  of  the  institution.  They  will  be  reported 
from  time  to  time  through  the  press  of  the  city.  No  pay- 
ments are  to  be  made  until  the  entire  amount  is  subscribed. 

(Signed)   Celia  Parker  Woolley,  President. 
N.  Halsted,  Secretary. 

It  was  voted  that  subscriptions  be  taken  up  at  once. 
This  was  followed  by  the  reading  of  a  report  by  the  com- 
mittee on  collections,  which  showed  that  the  entire  sum  at  this 
time  amounted  to  $14,000.75.  Judge  Jamieson,  president  of 
the  Norwood  Park  School  Association,  thanked  the  Club  on 
behalf  of  the  Association,  for  its  generous  espousal  of  the 
cause.  He  compared  the  school  to  a  sinking  ship  to  which 
the  Club  had  come  as  a  lifeboat.  At  a  special  meeting  called 
for  May  15,  1889,  a  committee  of  twenty-five  members  was 
appointed  to  raise  further  funds  for  the  Norwood  Park 
Scho.ol.  Mrs.  Heywood  explained  the  work  of  the  school, 
urging  its  needs  and  its  value  to  the  community.  Mrs.  Harvey 
and  Mrs.  Sears  spoke  in  favor  of  cottages. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Club,  January  29,  1890,  Miss  Hal- 
sted stated  that  the  Club  had  not  only  raised  the  funds  for 
a  cottage,  but  that  without  its  efforts  none  of  the  buildings 
would  have  been  erected,  and  that  since  so  much  had  been 
done  by  the  Club,  she  wanted  the  boys  to  learn  that  women 
had  their  interests  at  heart,  and  that  only  through  the  efforts 


86  ANNALS  OF  THE 

of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  Norwood  Park  School  had  come 
into  existence. 

Mrs.  Remick  said  that  $31,000.00  of  the  $40,000.00  had 
been  subscribed  through  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  and  over 
$7,000.00  raised  in  the  Club  itself. 

On  February  12,  1890,  the  President  read  a  communica- 
tion from  the  secretary  of  the  Norwood  Park  Boys'  Indus- 
trial School,  written  in  reply  to  a  printed  communication  of 
his  in  the  Chicago  Tribune,  calling  attention  to  the  unjust 
statement  of  the  work  of  the  Club  in  raising  money  for  the 
school,  which  had  appeared  in  an  official  appeal  to  the  public 
for  aid.  The  President  was  thanked  for  her  article  in  the 
Tribune,  which  gave  a  truthful  statement  of  the  Club's  ac- 
tion in  reference  to  the  Norwood  Park  School.  The  article 
was  placed  on  the  records,  and  reads  as  follows: 

Chicago,  Feb.  6. — Editor  of  The  Tribune — Will  you 
give  space  for  a  few  words  relative  to  the  official  statement 
of  the  managers  of  the  Norwood  Park  School,  which  appeared 
in  your  issue  of  February  2?  After  speaking  of  Mr.  Mil- 
ton George's  gift  of  a  tract  of  300  acres,  on  which  the  new 
buildings  are  to  be  erected,  the  writer  says:  "The  money 
for  one  of  the  cottages  was  raised  by  the  Plymouth  Congre- 
gational Church,  one  by  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  and  the 
other  by  Mrs.  Celia  W.  Wallace."  This  is  the  only  mention 
made  of  the  relation  of  the  Women's  Club  to  the  school,  and, 
taken  by  itself,  is  misleading  and  requires  a  word  of  explana- 
tion. It  was  upon  the  Club's  voluntary  assumption  of  the 
work  that  the  sum  of  $40,000  stipulated  for  by  Mr.  George 
for  the  removal  of  the  school  and  erection  of  new  buildings, 
was  raised.  The  Club  pledged  itself  by  vote  to  raise  the 
money,  and  through  the  faithful  and  in  some  cases  arduous 
labors  of  its  members,  assisted,  it  is  true,  by  some  outside 
organizations,  notably  by  Plymouth  Church,  fulfilled  its 
pledge.  The  exact  sum  raised  by  the  members  of  the  Club, 
as  such,  was  $25,973.  The  Club  should  therefore  be  credited, 
not  only  with  a  single  cottage,  but  with  the  speedy  and  suc- 
cessful completion  of  an  entire  enterprise,  which  without 
the  timely  aid  thus  rendered,  might  even  now  be  languishing 
for  means  to  carry  on  the  work.  The  Club  has  no  desire 
to  call  undue  attention  to  itself  in  this  or  any  other  matter* 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  87 

and  considers  itself  sufficiently  rewarded  for  labors  of  this 
kind  in  their  successful  outcome. 

(Signed)     Celia  Parker  Woolley, 
President  Chicago  Women's  Club. 

On  February  27,  1890,  Mrs.  Remick  read  to  the  Board 
a  letter  which  she  had  prepared  to  present  to  the  managing 
board  of  the  Norwood  Park  School,  asking  that  the  Club  be 
given  twenty  votes  in  the  annual  meeting  in  consideration 
of  the  funds  furnished  by  it  to  the  school.  The  name  of  the 
school  was  changed  from  "The  Illinois  Industrial  School  for 
Boys"  to  the  "Norwood  Park"  and  finally  to  the  "Glenwood 
School." 

The  committee  later  arranged  for  an  interview  with  the 
board  of  the  school,  and  made  to  them  the  following  state- 
ment: "The  Chicago  Women's  Club  considers  that  it  is  en- 
titled to  certificates  for  such  amounts  of  money  as  were 
collected  by  the  Club  members,  in  the  year  1889,  to  assist 
in  raising  the  forty  thousand  dollars  necessary  to  secure  Mr. 
George's  gift."  The  answer  was  that  the  board  was  unani- 
mously of  the  opinion  that  the  Club  should  have  control  of 
all  the  unrepresented  stock.  The  forty  thousand  dollars 
was  at  the  time  accounted  for  as  follows:  4  cottages, 
$20,000.00;  administration  building,  $12,000.00;  school  building, 
$8,000.00.  The  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Glenwood  School 
issued  certificates  covering  the  amount  of  money  collected 
for  the  school  by  members  of  the  Club,  and  willingly  agreed 
that  the  Club  should  have  control  of  the  unrepresented  stock, 
about  $35,000.00.  It  was  voted  that  the  Chicago  Women's 
Club  accept  the  certificates  tendered  by  the  Glenwood 
School  Board  and  that  the  power  to  vote  the  stock  be  vested 
in  the  president  of  the  Club.  These  certificates  are  filed  with 
the  original  report. 

On  September  24,  1890,  a  communication  was  read  from 
Mrs.  S.  A.  Sears,  inviting  members  of  the  Club  to  attend 
the  opening  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Boys  at 
Glenwood  Farm,  Saturday,  September  27.  In  the  secre- 
tary's report  March  4,  1891,  appears  the  following  descrip- 


88  ANNALS  OF  THE 

tion :  "Since  the  annual  meeting  of  last  year  the  Board  of 
the  Boys'  Industrial  School  at  Glenwood  has  proposed  to 
the  Club,  that  in  recognition  of  the  very  substantial  aid  given 
by  its  members,  the  Club  should  have  the  honor  and  credit 
of  the  erection  of  the  school  building  rather  than  of  the  cot- 
tage, as  at  first  planned.  This  met  the  approval  of  the  board, 
and  now  a  slab  of  Tennessee  marble  in  the  entrance  hall  of 
the  beautiful  school  building  at  Glenwood  is  inscribed  with 
the  words,  'Erected  by  the  Chicago  Women's  Club.' "  In 
April,  Mrs.  Ormiston  Chant,  of  London,  lectured  under  the 
auspices  of  the  Club,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Industrial  School, 
and  the  proceeds  were  used  toward  furnishing  the  school 
building,  and  since  that  time  individual  members  have  con- 
tinued to  contribute  to  the  work. 

A  letter  was  also  read  from  Mrs.  Ursula  L.  Harrison, 
gratefully  acknowledging  money  from  the  Chicago  Women's 
Club,  to  provide  chairs  for  the  chapel  of  the  Glenwood  School, 
and  giving  a  cordial  welcome  to  all  members  of  the  Club  to 
visit  the  school  at  any  time.  January  18,  1892,  Dr.  Alex- 
ander moved  that  the  Club  authorize  Dr.  Stevenson  to  sign 
a  petition  to  the  Glenwood  School  authorities  to  admit  boys 
over  fourteen  years  of  age  to  their  school. 

April  9,  1890,  Mrs.  Flower  read  a  letter  from  Charlotte 
Emerson  Brown  in  regard  to  the  convention  of  the  General 
Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  held  in  New  York  April  23 
to  25,  wishing  to  know  if  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  wished 
to  confirm  the  action  of  their  delegate,  Dr.  Julia  Holmes 
Smith,  in  joining  the  Federation  the  year1  before.  The  cor- 
responding secretary  was  instructed  to  notify  the  secretary 
of  the  General  Federation  that  the  Club  had  taken  formal 
action  confirming  its  membership  in  the  Federation.  Dele- 
gates were  sent  to  the  meeting  of  the  General  Federation 
of  Women's  Clubs  held  in  New  York,  and  also  a  written 
report  of  the  work  of  the  Club.  On  April  19,  1890,  it  was 
voted  to  invite  the  General  Federation  to  hold  its  biennial 
meeting  in  Chicago  in  1892.  At  the  meeting  of  the  Club 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CUJB  89 

May  7,  1890,  two  letters  were  read  from  Charlotte  Emerson 
Brown  giving  a  full  report  of  the  convention  and  thanking 
the  Chicago  Women's  Club  for  the  courtesy  of  the  invitation 
to  the  Federation  to  hold  its  next  biennial  meeting  in  Chi- 
cago. At  the  close  of  the  reading  of  the  letters  the  Club 
pledged  itself  to  the  entertainment  of  the  delegates  attending 
the  Federation.  May  20,  1890,  a  letter  from  Mrs.  Jennie  C. 
Croly,  secretary  of  the  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs, 
was  read  by  the  president,  in  which  she  accepted  for  the  Fed- 
eration the  hospitality  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  in  1892. 
May  25,  1891,  reporting  the  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs 
at  Orange,  N.  J.,  Mary  Spalding  Brown  said:  "Club  life 
was  declared  to  be  a  most  important  factor  in  the  broadening 
of  woman's  life;  110  clubs  were  represented  from  27  states. 
The  next  meeting  to  be  held  in  Chicago,  May,  1892,  upon 
invitation  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  is  practically  left 
in  its  most  important  matters  with  the  women  of  our  Club." 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Directors  was  held  March  30, 
1892,  to  consider  business  in  connection  with  the  Biennial 
meeting,  to  occur  May  11,  12  and  13.  It  was  believed  that 
from  500  to  1,000  women  would  be  in  attendance,  and  that 
our  own  quarters  were  entirely  inadequate.  Dr.  Stevenson 
and  Mrs.  Woolley  were  duly  elected  to  represent  the  Club. 
The  recording  secretary  was  instructed  to  prepare  a  report 
of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  for  the  Biennial.  April  13, 
1892,  Mrs.  Mary  Spalding  Brown  was  authorized  to  secure 
Central  Music  Hall  and  to  arrange  for  a  social  meeting  to 
be  held  on  the  evening  of  May  11,  in  our  own  rooms,  and 
those  of  the  Fortnightly  and  the  Art  Gallery.  It  was  stated 
at  the  meeting  of  May  18,  1892,  that  the  receipts  at  Central 
Music  Hall  for  the  evening  meeting  had  paid  the  rent  of 
the  hall  and  left  a  surplus  of  $11.00. 

May  27,  1892,  it  was  recorded  that  the  Chicago  Wom- 
an's Club  entertained  the  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  in- 
vitations having  been  extended  to  that  body  at  its  first  meet- 
ing in  1890.  Delegates  were  here  from  more  than  200  clubs, 
and  from  thirty  states,  representing  20,000  women. 


90  ANNALS  OF  THE 

March  18,  1890,  it  was  voted  that  a  memorial  be  senl 
to  President  Harrison,  remonstrating  against  the  dismissal 
of  all  women  employees  in  the  Internal  Revenue  office  in 
Chicago.  The  following  is  the  full  text  of  this  interesting 
memorial,  as  read  at  the  meeting  of  March  26: 

To  His  Excellency,  the  President :  We,  the  undersigned, 
constituting  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  desire  most  respect- 
fully to  bring  to  your  attention  an  official  action  of  one  of 
the  government  officers  here,  which  we  consider  so  great  an 
injustice  as  to  entitle  us  to  seek  redress  at  your  hands. 

Since  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  women  have  been  em- 
ployed in  various  offices,  and  have  done  their  work  so  well 
that  neither  political  party  has  ever  thought  of  denying  them 
the  right  to  such  positions  as  they  were  qualified  to  fill. 
Given  such  places  at  first  as  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  women 
who  had  worked  faithfully  in  hospital  wards,  or  whose  fath- 
ers, husbands  or  brothers  had  given  their  lives  for  the  coun- 
try, they  have  been  retained  because  they  have  deserved  to 
be  retained;  because  the  efficiency  of  the  public  service  has 
nowhere  been  greater  than  where  they  were  employed;  and, 
because  being  equally  with  men  breadwinners  for  their  fami- 
lies, as  well  as  tax  payers,  they  were  equally  entitled  to  the 
benefits  of  their  common  country. 

The  Hon.  Christopher  Mamer,  recently  appointed  Col- 
lector of  Internal  Revenue  for  Chicago,  immediately  upon  his 
accesssion  to  office,  announced  his  intention  of  removing  all 
women  from  that  office.  He  has  stated  further  that  he  does 
this  as  a  matter  of  principle,  believing  that  all  places  under 
the  government  belong  to  voters  as  rewards  for  party  work. 
Following  this  policy,  he  has  already  removed  three  of  the 
eight  women  employed  in  that  office,  and  it  is  understood 
the  others  will  soon  share  the  same  fate.  Some  of  these 
women  have  served  through  two  or  more  previous  admin- 
istrations, and  all  are  competent  clerks,  against  whom  no 
complaint  has  ever  been  made,  and  against  whom  Mr.  Mamer 
makes  no  complaint.  On  the  contrary,  they  have  been  espe- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  91 

cially  commended   the   past  year   by  the  visiting  revenue 
agents. 

We  are  well  aware  that  public  exigencies  may  require 
the  removal  of  any  person  from  office,  and  we  have  no  desire 
to  interfere  in  any  way  with  such  necessity,  nor  to  interpose 
in  the  interests  of  any  individual;  neither  do  we  ask  any 
benefit  from  civil  service  laws  not  applicable  to  the  present 
case.  Were  any  of  these  women  to  be  replaced  by  other 
women,  or  places  vacated  by  men  to  be  filled  by  women,  we 
should  have  nothing  to  say.  We  simply  protest  in  the  name 
of  the  women  of  the  United  States  against  the  principle  an- 
nounced by  Mr.  Mamer;  namely,  that  women,  not  being  of 
service  as  politicians,  have  no  claim  to  consideration  in  the 
distribution  of  the  offices  of  the  government.  We  feel  that 
the  announcement  of  such  a  line  of  conduct  will  be  received 
not  only  as  an  insult  to  women,  but  as  a  reflection  on  the 
policy  of  the  present  administration. 

Public  sentiment  has  so  fully  recognized  the  right  of 
women  to  enter  all  these  avenues  of  employment  that  to 
deny  it  now  can  but  be  disastrous  to  persons  or  parties  who 
do  it.  The  late  administration  so  fully  recognized  this  fact 
that  not  only  were  women  previously  appointed  retained,  but 
many  others  were  appointed.  Certainly  this  administration 
cannot  afford  to  close  its  eyes  to  the  progress  of  the  age, 
and  exhibit  a  less  liberal  and  enlightened  policy  than  its 
predecessors.  We  are  fully  aware  that  the  positions  occu- 
pied by  the  women  in  the  Internal  Revenue  Office  do  not 
come  under  the  regular  rules  of  the  Civil  Service,  and  we 
acknowledge  fully  the  right  of  any  officer  to  make  appoint- 
ments in  his  own  department  within  government  regula- 
tions. But  we  do  question  the  right  of  any  government  em- 
ployee to  refuse  employment  to  any  class  of  citizens  simply 
because  they  are  not  voters,  or  to  govern  his  office  on  a  prin- 
ciple that  must  receive  the  condemnation  of  all  reputable 
people  and  bring  odium  on  his  party. 


92  ANNALS  OF  THE 

We  of  the  Women's  Club,  for  these  reasons,  most  re- 
spectfully urge  this  matter  on  the  attention  of  your  Excel- 
lency, hoping  and  believing  that  this  policy  is  not  your  policy, 
and  that  you  will  see  fit  to  exert  an  influence  which  will 
induce  Mr.  Mamer  to  follow  a  more  enlightened  course. 

With  great  respect: 
(Signed)     Mrs.  James  M.  Flower,  Pres.  Women's  Club. 

Leila  G.  Bedell,  M.  D.,  First  Vice  President. 

Mrs.  W.  O.  Carpenter,  Second  Vice  President. 

Mrs.  Wm.  T.  Brown,  Recording  Secretary. 

Mrs.  Kate  G.  Huddleston,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

Mrs.  Frederick  A.  Smith,  Treasurer. 

At  the  meeting  of  April  19,  1890,  Mrs.  Woolley,  chair- 
man of  the  committee  sent  to  Washington  by  the  Chicago 
Women's  Club  to  present  the  petition  to  President  Harrison 
remonstrating  against  the  removal  of  women  from  public 
office,  reported  the  particulars  of  her  interview.  The  com- 
mittee, consisting  of  Mrs.  Woolley,  Dr.  Stevenson,  Mrs.  O. 
W.  Potter,  Mrs.  George  E.  Adams,  and  Miss  Isabel  T.  Hamp- 
ton, presented  the  memorial  to  the  President  and  appealed 
to  him  to  use  his  influence  against  the  dismissal,  on  account 
of  sex,  of  women  employees  in  public  office,  as  had  been 
done  in  the  Internal  Revenue  office.  In  reply,  the  President 
committed  himself  to  no  principle,  but  said  that  he  would 
give  the  matter  his  attention.  Since  returning  to  Chicago 
the  committee  had  learned  that  the  Collector  of  Internal 
Revenue  had  been  asked  to  dismiss  no  more  women  from 
his  office  at  present.  It  was  resolved  that  in  order  to  con- 
firm the  action  of  the  Club  in  presenting  the  petition  to  the 
President,  letters  be  requested  corroborating  the  informa- 
tion received  from  several  sources,  to  the  effect  that  the  Col- 
lector of  Internal  Revenue  had  said  that  he  intended  to  dis- 
charge all  women  from  his  office,  that  he  might  fill  their 
places  with  voters.  It  was  further  resolved  that  a  copy  of 
the  memorial  be  sent  to  all  other  women's  clubs  in  the  coun- 
try, thus  indicating  the  position  of  the  Chicago  Women's 
Club. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  93 

In  the  annual  report  of  the  recording  secretary,  March 
4,  1891,  the  matter  was  reviewed  as  follows:  One  of  the 
most  important  activities  of  the  club  within  the  year,  which 
indeed  is  of  a  national  character,  is  the  memorial  to  President 
Harrison  remonstrating-  against  the  dismissal  of  women  from 
public  offices  in  order  that  their  places  might  be  filled  with 
voters.  This  action  was  taken  in  March  a  year  ago,  upon 
the  removal  by  the  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue,  of  three 
women  from  offices,  which  they  had  filled  long  and  faithfully. 
The  petition,  standing  for  principle  and  untinged  by  per- 
sonal or  political  bias,  was  presented  to  the  President  by 
the  committee,  with  the  gratifying  result  that  the  collector 
was  instructed  to  dismiss  no  more  women  at  present. 

May  28,  1890,  the  first  hour  of  the  regular  Club  meeting 
was  devoted  to  the  discussion  of  introducing  sewing  into  the 
public  schools,  short  reports  being  given  of  the  work  as 
already  inaugaurated  in  other  cities.  Several  members  ad- 
vocated the  desirability  of  its  being  undertaken  in  Chicago. 
A  permanent  committee  was  created  of  two  members  from 
each  Club  Committee  to  take  into  consideration  the  advisa- 
bility of  introducing  sewing  into  the  public  schools.  Mrs. 
Sumner  Ellis  was  appointed  chairman.  It  was  resolved  that 
it  is  the  sentiment  of  this  Club  "that  the  method  of  utilizing 
Saturdays  and  the  long  summer  vacation  for  the  work,  in- 
stead of  making  it  a  part  of  the  regular  course,  is  the  wisest 
and  most  practicable."  On  November  4,  1891,  Mrs.  Flower 
announced  that  sewing  was  to  be  introduced  into  the  public 
schools  at  the  expense  of  the  School  Board,  and  that  manual 
training  was  to  be  carried  on  in  three  of  the  grammar  schools. 

May  21,  1890,  Mrs.  E.  F.  Galvin  spoke  of  the  needed  reform 
of  tenement  houses,  in  the  city,  and  asked  that  those  who  would 
be  willing  to  visit  tenements  once  a  week  and  look  after  the 
sanitary  conditions  and  see  to  the  enforcement  of  the  laws 
should  send  their  names  to  Dr.  Julia  Ross  Low,  Mrs.  Lucy 
L.  Flower,  and  Mrs.  Galvin,  that  they  might  be  called  upon  as 
the  work  required. 


94  ANNALS  OF  THE 

October  8,  1890,  Mrs.  Lucy  L.  Flower  presented  to  the 
board  the  desirability  of  taking  the  County  charitable  insti- 
tutions, viz. : — the  County  Hospital,  the  Insane  Asylum  and 
the  Infirmary — out  of  the  hands  of  the  politicians,  and  sug- 
gested that  the  Women's  Club  should  use  its  influence  to 
arouse  the  better  sentiment  of  the  community  to  the  end  that 
there  should  be  a  board  of  trustees  having  these  institutions 
in  charge,  who  should  be  appointed  without  regard  to  poli- 
tics for  a  term  of  years.  Dr.  Bedell  moved  that  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  recommend  that  the 
work  of  the  Club  for  the  present  year  be  an  attempt  to  secure 
legislation,  which  shall  take  the  public  charitable  institutions 
out  of  politics,  and  put  them  under  the  care  of  a  properly  con- 
stituted board.  Mrs.  Flower  was  empowered  to  inaugurate 
the  work  according  to  her  best  judgment.  At  the  following 
business  meeting,  Mrs.  Flower  explained  the  work  in  Cook 
County  charitable  institutions,  and  advised  that  they  be  gov- 
erned by  a  board  of  trustees  properly  appointed.  She  asked 
that  the  Club  endorse  the  action  of  the  board,  as  indicated  in 
Dr.  Bedell's  motion.  The  Club  endorsed  the  resolution. 
November  26,  1890,  Mrs.  Flower  reported  that  the  bill  had 
been  prepared,  carefully  considered  and  revised  by  prominent 
attorneys,  that  the  presidents  of  several  organizations  of  the 
city  had  been  asked  to  co-operate  with  the  Women's  Club 
and  everything  was  to  be  done  to  press  the  action  of  the  leg- 
islature. Mrs.  Flower  worked  continuously  in  this  matter 
and  reported  the  progress  of  her  work  at  several  meetings 
during  the  year.  May  25,  1891,  she  made  the  following  state- 
ment: "The  bill  was  fathered  by  the  Union  League  Club, 
Personal  Rights  Club,  Humane  Society,  Marquette  Club,  and 
others,  and  mothered  by  the  Chicago  Women's  Club.  It 
insists  upon  the  appointment  of  five  trustees  to  serve  for 
five  years,  without  salary,  to  be  appointed  by  the  judges  of 
the  Appellate  Court."  Mrs.  Flower  made  remarks  explana- 
tory of  the  bill  and  its  urgent  necessity,  but  feared  there  was 
little  hope  for  a  successful  issue  for  two  years. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  95 

On  March  4,  1891,  it  was  reported  that  the  petition  for 
more  women  on  the  School  Board,  which  had  been  circulated 
during  the  year  by  members  of  the  Club  and  presented  to  the 
Mayor,  had  resulted  in  the  appointment  of  one  more  woman 
to  serve  on  the  board.  On  May  25,  five  more  vacancies 
on  the  School  Board  were  reported,  and  three  names  of 
women  were  secured  for  presentation  to  the  Mayor. 

At  the  close  of  the  Club  year  1890-91,  it  was  voted  that 
the  sum  of  $1,000.00  be  placed  at  the  disposition  of  the  board 
for  the  furtherance  of  the  public  work  of  the  Club.  At  a 
January  meeting  of  1891,  in  compliance  with  the  expressed 
wish  of  the  members  present,  Mrs.  Flower  gave  her  ideas 
as  to  what  constituted  the  public  work  of  the  Club;  she  con- 
sidered the  true  work  of  the  Women's  Club  to  be  on  broad 
lines,  always  standing  for  principle  rather  than  for  individ- 
uals, and  that  its  money  should  be  given  for  the  carrying 
out  and  defense  of  such  principles,  rather  than  for  the  main- 
tenance or  support  of  specific  charities. 

The  attention  of  the  Club  was  called  to  the  efforts  being 
made  to  repeal  the  Compulsory  Education  Law  in  Illinois.  As 
the  Club  had  been  influential  in  securing  the  passage  of  the 
bill,  it  resolved  to  take  action  in  the  matter.  March  25,  1891, 
Miss  Ada  Sweet  spoke  on  the  Compulsory  Education  Bill 
as  follows:  "In  the  judgment  of  this  committee,  it  is  proper 
for  the  friends  of  compulsory  education  to  amend  the  present 
school  law,  so  as  to  remove  all  just  and  reasonable  grounds 
of  opposition  to  any  of  its  provisions;  but  such  amendments 
should  in  no  way  weaken  or  retard  the  thorough  carrying 
out  of  the  spirit  and  purpose  of  the  law,  viz. :  The  securing 
to  every  child  in  Illinois,  whether  native  or  foreign  born, 
instruction  in  English  reading  and  writing  and  the  other 
branches  commonly  taught  in  the  public  schools.  Your  com- 
mittee approves  of  a  bill  for  an  act  concerning  the  educa- 
tion of  children,  introduced  by  Senator  Berry  Jan.  14,  1891. 
Mr.  Berry  introduced  the  bill,  which,  with  amendments,  sug- 
gested by  this  club  and  others  interested  in  compulsory  edu- 


96  ANNALS  OF  THE 

cation,  became  the  present  Compulsory  School  Attendance 
Law,  and  his  new  bill  is  for  the  purpose  of  amending  the 
law  upon  the  points  which  have  been  most  criticized  and 
opposed  since  July  1,  1889,  when  it  went  into  force.  The 
amendments  proposed  in  Senator  Berry's  bill  are  in  sub- 
stance as  follows: 

1.  Approval  of  private  schools  by  the  County  Superin- 
tendent, instead  of  by  the  Board  of  Education  or  school  di- 
rectors. 

2.  Omitting  study  of  arithmetic  and  geography  in  the 
English  language  from  the  prescribed  school  qualifications. 

3.  Directing  truant  officers  to  place  habitual  truants  in 
the  public  schools  where  they  belong,  or  in  the  school  desig- 
nated by  parents  of  such  children. 

Mmes.  Tuley,  Sears  and  others  followed  on  the  same 
subject.  It  was  voted  "That  we  as  a  club  endorse  Senator 
Berry's  bill  and  confer  discretionary  powers  upon  this  com- 
mittee to  act  as  deemed  expedient;  this  to  be  construed  as 
pertaining  also  to  sending  members  to  Springfield." 

March  25,  1891,  Mrs.  Tuley  requested  that  the  kinder- 
garten be  discontinued  as  the  yearly  work  of  the  Club,  giving 
reasons  why  it  should  be  allowed  formally  to  withdraw.  The 
Club  granted  the  request  of  the  Education  Committee  to  organize 
the  kindergarten  upon  an  independent  basis. 

April  1,  1891,  Mrs.  Sears  read  a  petition  to  the  Board 
of  Education  prepared  and  signed  by  the  Education  Com- 
mittee asking  that  a  system  of  manual  training  be  introduced 
into  the  public  schools.  Mrs.  Sears  asked  that  the  board 
add  its  endorsement.  The  petition  was  approved  and  signed. 

February  11,  1891,  Mrs.  Flower  was  chosen  to  represent 
the  Club  as  its  delegate  to  the  International  Council  of 
Women  to  be  held  in  Washington. 

The  program  for  March  25,  1891,  was  a  "Lowell  Memorial" 
under  the  direction  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Committee. 

S.  Clarence  Darrow,  of  the  Sunset  Club,  was  invited  to  ad- 
dress the  Club  on  "Economic  Relations  of  Men  and  Women." 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  97 

The  members  of  the  Sunset  Club  were  guests  and  shared  in  the 
discussion  at  the  meeting,  which  took  place  April  8,  1891. 

May  25,  1891,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  select  and 
purchase  periodicals  to  be  kept  in  the  Club  rooms  for  the 
use  of  the  members.  This  was  the  beginning  of  the  Club's 
library. 

The  program  of  October  7  was  deferred  one  week  because 
of  the  unveiling  of  the  Grant  Monument.  A  request  was  made 
October  21,  1891,  for  all  reports  of  Club  work  or  annual  reports 
that  might  be  in  the  possession  of  Club  members.  The  com- 
mittee on  records  wished  to  recover  all  documents  belonging  to 
the  Club. 

On  November  4,  1891,  Mrs.  Flower  made  an  appeal  for 
the  reorganization  of  the  Associated  Charities,  advising  that 
the  Women's  Club  take  the  initiative  in  this  matter.  The 
sentiment  of  the  Club  was  expressed  to  the  effect  that  the 
time  was  ripe  for  the  re-organization  of  the  Associated  Chari- 
ties of  Chicago. 

November  11,  1891,  Mary  E.  Burt,  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Education,  was  made  a  member  of  the  Club  without  the  usual 
formality. 

Dr.  Julia  Ross  Low  announced  a  meeting  at  Central 
Music  Hall,  November  29,  under  the  auspices  of  this  Club, 
on  behalf  of  a  contagious  disease  hospital.  Many  prominent 
speakers  were  present  to  arouse  public  sentiment  to  demand 
this  institution  from  the  County  Board. 

December  2,  1891,  the  President  announced  that  copies 
of  the  Directory  of  Charitable  Institutions  of  Chicago,  com- 
piled by  Emma  Engleman,  were  on  sale  in  the  Club  rooms. 

May  11,  1887,  the  lease  for  the  new  room  in  the  Art  In- 
stitute building  was  presented  to  the  board.  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  close  the  lease  for  five  years,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  proposition  formerly  submitted.  At  the  same 
time  $1,000.00  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  rooms  com- 
mittee for  furnishing  the  new  quarters.  May  20,  1890,  the 
committee  on  new  rooms  reported  several  sites  for  building 


98  ANNALS  OF  THE 

and  an  informal  discussion  followed  as  to  whether  the  Club 
should  build,  and  if  it  did,  should  it  associate  itself  with 
other  organizations  of  similar  character.  The  secretary  was 
instructed  to  send  invitations  to  presidents  of  the  Fortnightly, 
Athenaeum,  Women's  Exchange,  Twentieth  Century,  and 
Amateur  Musical  Society  for  this  meeting,  and  to  ask  if  the 
societies  which  they  represented  wished  to  join  the  club  in 
a  building  for  their  several  needs.  March  27,  1890,  the  sub- 
ject was  fully  considered  by  the  Club.  The  President  asked 
Dr.  Bedell  to  open  the  discussion  of  the  question:  "Shall 
the  Chicago  Women's  Club  undertake  the  project  of  a  new 
building?"  Dr.  Bedell  spoke  of  the  necessity  of  the  Club 
providing  new  quarters,  and  offered  the  following  resolu- 
tions : 

Whereas,  It  has  become  a  self-evident  fact  that  the 
Chicago  Women's  Club  has  outgrown  its  present  quarters 
and  that  the  committee  on  rooms  has  failed  to  find  a  suitable 
home  for  the  club  when  its  present  lease  of  these  rooms  shall 
have  expired. 

Resolved,  That  the  time  has  fully  come  for  the  Club  to 
consider  the  project  of  a  new  building,  and  to  enter  promptly 
and  energetically  upon  the  execution  of  such  plans  as  it  may 
devise  to  accomplish  that  end. 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  judgment  of  this  Club  that  the 
wiser  policy  would  be  to  secure  the  co-operation  of  other 
philanthropic,  literary,  musical  and  art  associations  in  pro- 
viding suitable  quarters  in  a  good  location  where  all,  these 
kindred  societies,  working  together  on  their  various  lines 
for  the  elevation  of  mankind,  may  have  a  new  and  permanent 
center  of  such  a  character  and  so  carefully  designed  for  their 
different  needs  that  their  very  "local  habitation"  will  lend 
an  uplifting  influence. 

The  first  resolution  presented  by  Dr.  Bedell  was  passed 
by  vote  of  the  Club,  but  upon  the  second  resolution  action 
was  deferred.  On  May  8,  1893,  Mrs.  Wilmarth  reported  for 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  99 

the  committee  on  rooms  that  the  fourth  floor  at  202  Michi- 
gan avenue  could  be  had  for  $4,000.00  per  year. 

Mrs.  Dilke  and  Mrs.  Chant,  delegates  from  England  to 
the  International  Council  of  Women  in  Washington,  were 
tendered  a  reception  by  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  and  a 
public  meeting  in  Central  Music  Hall  April  18,  1888.  An 
informal  meeting  of  the  Club  was  held  June  27,  1888,  to  wel- 
come the  Baroness  Gripenberg,  of  Finland,  Mrs.  Colby, 
editor  of  the  Woman's  Tribune,  Mrs.  Isabella  Beecher  Hooker 
and  Miss  Susan  B.  Anthony,  as  guests  of  the  Club.  The 
words  of  these  distinguished  women  were  heard  with  at- 
tention and  greeted  with  applause.  The  Club  gave  a  re- 
ception to  Harriet  Hosmer  Thursday  evening,  the  llth  of 
April,  1889.  In  the  Club  year  1888-89,  a  new  departure  was 
taken,  when  two  afternoons  appeared  upon  our  regular  cal- 
endar marked  "social."  The  social  meetings  were  held  in  ad- 
dition to  special  receptions.  The  Club  was  increased  by  115. 
The  guests  numbered  341  from  80  different  cities  and  towns. 
An  evening  social  meeting  was  held  October  29,  1890.  May 
20,  1891,  a  request  was  read  from  the  social  committee,  that 
at  every  fourth  Wednesday  meeting  tea  should  be  served, 
and  that  if  permitted,  the  committee  would  provide  themes 
for  conversation  on  current  topics,  social  questions  and  music. 
The  request  was  granted.  December  16,  1891,  the  Club  held 
an  informal  reception  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Brown. 

November  20,  1889,  Mrs.  Simmons,  in  the  name  of  the 
Committee  on  Philanthropy,  presented  to  the  Club  a  reading 
desk.  November  19,  1892,  a  letter  was  read  from  Katharine 
Reed,  presenting  to  the  Club  a  medallion  head  of  Dante,  in 
bas-relief,  by  Donahue,  which  had  belonged  to  her  mother, 
Mrs.  Bastin.  The  Secretary  read  a  letter  from  Mr.  J.  Lowles 
thanking  the  Club  for  the  use  of  their  rooms  to  display  the 
Dore  engravings,  and  tendering  as  a  gift  an  artist's  proof 
of  an  engraving  by  Edwin  Long.  Requests  for  the  use  of 
the  Club  rooms  were  granted  as  follows:  To  Harvard  Col- 
lege for  entrance  examinations  in  June,  1887;  the  board  of 


100  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  Physiological  Institute  for  regular  board  meetings;  the 
Industrial  Art  Association  for  board  meetings  and  for  its 
first  annual  meeting  November  22,  1887;  the  Lodging  House 
for  Women  in  April,  1888;  the  Cook  County  Women's  Suf- 
frage Association  for  a  reception  to  Susan  B.  Anthony,  June 
19,  1888;  in  1890,  to  the  Visiting  Nurses'  Association;  the 
National  Collegiate  Alumnae,  for  their  annual  convention 
1891,  and  for  their  regular  monthly  meetings;  for  a  meeting 
October  13,  1891,  addressed  by  Miss  Grace  Dodge,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Central  Association  of  Working  Girls'  Clubs ;  the 
Society  of  Physical  Culture.  At  the  request  of  Mrs.  Trum- 
bull,  the  rooms  were  granted  for  a  Colonial  Tea  and  for  a 
reading  by  Mrs.  Sherwood  for  the  benefit  of  the  fund  to 
erect  a  statue  to  the  mother  of  Washington.  The  rooms  were 
also  given  to  the  Folklore  Society  for  two  meetings  in  1892. 

At  a  special  meeting  held  April  25,  1888,  an  initiation 
fee  of  $10.00  upon  acceptance  of  membership  was  consid- 
ered. January  7,  1891,  the  membership  dues  were  in- 
creased to  $10.00  and  the  initiation  fee  to  $15.00.  April  11, 
1888,  the  president  introduced  the  subject  of  meetings  to  be 
held  on  the  fourth  Wednesdays,  expressing  the  thought  that 
these  might  be  presided  over  by  the  Different  chairmen  in 
turn.  It  was  voted  that  these  fourth  Wednesdays  be  for  the 
use  of  all  committees  for  reports  and  for  the  transaction  of 
such  business  as  relates  to  the  interests  of  the  Club.  The 
fourth  Wednesday  meeting  afforded  opportunity  not  only  for 
the  discussion  of  Club  work,  but  also  for  the  presentation  of 
outside  claims  and  interests. 

It  was  moved  May  14,  1888,  that  Mrs.  Tuley's  recom- 
mendation, which  would  require  the  names  of  new  candi- 
dates to  be  submitted  to  some  committee  and  endorsed  before 
their  presentation  to  the  Board,  be  approved.  This  motion 
was  lost,  although  later  a  committee  on  membership  was 
created.  February  13,  1889,  it  was  voted  that  no  officer  or 
member  of  the  Board  serve  more  than  three  years  consecu- 
tively. At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  same  year,  the  number 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  101 

of  directors  from  each  committee  was  changed  to  three  in- 
stead of  two.  March  13,  1889,  the  Board  voted  to  appoint  a 
program  committee  to  consult  with  the  chairmen  of  the 
various  Committees,  with  reference  to  the  papers  of  their 
Committees  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  with  their  aid  pro- 
pose and  present  a  perfected  program  at  the  April  meeting 
of  the  Board.  October  16,  1889,  it  was  ordered  that  when 
a  member  proposes  a  candidate  for  membership,  she  shall 
be  requested  to  name  the  Committee  to  which  said  candidate 
would  like  to  belong;  and  failing  to  do  so,  the  corresponding 
secretary  shall  be  instructed  to  write  and  ask  her  to  fill  in  the 
omission.  In  1890,  a  new  feature  was  added  in  the  form  of 
a  bulletin  board,  upon  which  the  names  of  candidates  were 
posted,  together  with  their  proposers  and  endorsers  for  one 
month  before  election. 

On  February  18,  1891,  the  Club  was  informed  that  the 
Board  had  authorized  a  different  method  of  voting  for  the 
officers  and  directors  at  the  annual  meeting,  by  means  of  a 
printed  ticket  prepared  by  a  nominating  committee  of  seven 
members.  March  18,  1891,  an  extract  from  the  minutes  of 
the  board  meeting  March  18  was  read,  viz. :  "The  senti- 
ment of  the  Board  is  against  the  reconstruction  of  the  com- 
mittees into  workers  and  non-workers." 

After  April  15,  1891,  the  six  Committees  began  to  keep 
separate  records.  May  6,  1891,  the  names  of  the  leaders  of 
special  work  and  study  classes  carried  on  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Club  were  ordered  printed  in  the  new  calendar.  De- 
cember 16,  1891,  a  nominating  committee  was  created,  com- 
posed of  the  chairmen  of  the  six  Committees,  to  make  a  ticket 
in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  their  several  committees, 
for  the  general  election  at  the  annual  meeting.  It  was  voted 
that  chairmen  report  at  the  annual  meeting  the  work  ac- 
complished during  the  entire  year.  December  30,  1891,  at 
a  special  meeting  of  the  Club  these  three  measures  were 
adopted:  1st.  That  monthly  reports  of  committee  work 
be  given  to  the  board.  2d.  The  formation  of  a  Committee 


102  ANNALS  OF  THE 

on  Membership.     3d.     To  change  the  name  of  Committee  to 
that  of  Department. 

Mrs.  J.  M.  Flower  stated  in  her  president's  address, 
March  4,  1891 :  "As  a  club  we  should  do  only  that  work 
which  individuals  cannot  do.  I  would  never  give  from  the 
club  treasury  to  any  charity,  neither  would  I  expend  club 
strength  and  union  on  any  work  which  could  be  properly 
or  successfuly  accomplished  by  individual  effort;  such  work 
I  should  characterize  as  committee  work,  to  be  taken  up 
and  carried  on  by  committees  in  their  own  way,  with  the 
prestige  they  may  derive  from  being  a  part  of  the  club,  but 
without  encroaching  on  the  time  of  the  club,  or  asking  aid 
from  the  club  treasury.  The  greatest  work  of  the  club  is 
educational  within  itself.  Clara  Barton  as  the  head  of  the 
Red  Cross  Society,  is  apparently  doing  nothing  a  great  part 
of  the  time,  and  yet  she  is  so  occupied  she  has  no  time  to 
attend  councils  or  to  talk.  How  is  she  occupied?  She  is 
keeping  that  Red  Cross  Society  in  order  and  discipline,  see- 
ing that  each  person  and  part  is  fitted  to  and  understands  its 
place,  and  able  to  do  its  proper  work  when  required;  thus 
keeping  the  whole  system  in  perfect  order  that  when  the 
emergency  arises,  a  great  war,  a  great  pestilence,  or  any 
great  disaster,  her  society  steps  at  once  into  the  field,  fully 
equipped  and  ready  to  do  its  required  work  promptly  and 
efficiently.  So  with  us,  we  are  training,  we  are  educating, 
we  are  fitting  ourselves  to  work  effectively  when  we  see  the 
work  to  be  done.  A  president  to  be  efficient  should  have  at 
least  two  years  on  the  board  to  become  perfectly  familiar 
with  the  work  there,  for  there  is  much  more  for  a  president 
to  do  than  merely  to  preside  at  the  public  meetings.  The 
same  thing  is  true  as  regards  the  other  officers,  and  so  I 
recommend  that  this  clause  in  the  constitution  be  amended 
so  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  second  year  of  any  working 
officer." 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  103 

CHAPTER  IV. 

1892  TO  1894. 

As  early  as  1890  the  Columbian  Exposition  became  a  subject 
of  overwhelming  interest,  preparations  for  this  great  event 
having  begun  to  occupy  the  Chicago  Women's  Club.  At  the 
first  meeting  of  1890-91,  Isabella  Beecher  Hooker  gave  inter- 
esting suggestions  as  to  women's  work  for  the  World's  Fair. 
On  November  12,  1890,  it  was  voted  that  the  lady  members  of 
the  World's  Fair  Commission  about  to  visit  Chicago,  be  in- 
vited to  attend  the  literary  meetings  of  the  Club  as  guests.  At 
a  social  meeting  held  in  the  rooms  of  the  Fortnightly  Club, 
April  29,  1891,  Mrs.  Harvey,  President  of  the  Chicago  Women's 
Club  introduced  Mrs.  Potter  Palmer,  President  of  the  Board 
of  Lady  Managers  of  the  Columbian  Exposition,  who  gave  an 
interesting  address  in  regard  to  women's  work  for  the  Exposi- 
tion. Mr.  C.  C.  Bonney  followed  with  an  outline  of  the  work 
of  the  World's  Congress  Auxiliary,  emphasizing  its  beneficial 
and  broadening  influence  upon  the  whole  nation. 

June  17,  1891,  Mrs.  Henry  Wade  Rogers,  representing  a 
committee  appointed  by  Mr.  Bonney,  discussed  municipal  order 
as  it  pertained  to  Chicago  during  the  period  of  the  World's 
Fair.  The  aim  of  this  committee  was  to  enlist  and  interest  the 
co-operation  of  all  householders  and  citizens  in  securing  and 
preserving  cleanliness,  order  and  the  physical  well-being  of  our 
city  during  the  Fair.  The  committee  asked  for  the  sympathy 
and  interest  of  the  Club  as  well  as  suggestions  for  the  working 
plans.  At  the  social  meeting  of  the  Club,  held  May  25,  Mrs. 
Phillips,  President  of  the  Illinois  Women's  State  Board,  gave 
a  short  address;  Mrs.  George  Dunlap  and  Colonel  Francis  W. 
Parker  spoke  in  the  interest  of  the  Children's  Building. 

On  October  26,  1892,  a  meeting  was  held  to  consider  the 
manner  of  how  the  Club  should  be  represented  at  the  Fair. 
Among  the  suggestions  made  by  the  several  departments  were 
the  following:  Securing  room  either  in  the  Woman's  Building, 


104  ANNALS  OF  THE 

or  the  Illinois  State  Building,  which  should  be  headquarters  for 
the  Club  during  the  Fair,  some  member  to  be  always  in  attend- 
ance, wearing  a  badge  in  order  to  be  easily  identified  by  visitors ; 
an  exhibit  in  the  Woman's  Building  to  be  arranged  by  the 
Physical  Culture  and  Correct  Dress  Society;  putting  before  the 
public  the  Club  plan  of  organization,  and  courses  of  study  with 
lists  of  books  of  reference;  to  be  hostess  to  the  clubs  of  the 
world;  to  use  the  Club  rooms  to  extend  hospitality.  It  was 
voted:  that  the  representation  of  the  Women's  Club  during 
the  World's  Fair  be  in  the  way  of  hospitality,  the  Club  acting 
as  hostess  to  members  of  other  clubs  visiting  the  city,  and  that 
such  other  material  exhibit  be  made  as  shall  seem  suitable  to 
the  Board  of  Directors  or  to  the  committee  having  charge.  The 
President,  Dr.  Stevenson,  said  that  the  Club  did  not  make  much 
of  a  material  exhibit,  except  through  such  offshoots  as  the 
Physical  Culture  and  Correct  Dress  Society,  but  that  there 
would  be  many  inquiries  from  foreigners  in  regard  to  Ameri- 
can club  work.  She  referred  to  her  experience  in  Philadelphia, 
in  1876.  She  doubted  whether  people  realized  how  great  is  the 
activity  of  women  in  the  work  of  the  world.  At  subsequent 
meetings  the  details  of  representation  at  the  Fair  were  per- 
fected. It  was  arranged  that  the  Club  have  a  guest  book,  sig- 
natures to  be  inscribed  at  the  invitation  of  the  social  committee. 
June  7,  1893,  after  some  discussion,  it  was  voted  that  the 
Women's  Club  hold  itself  in  readiness  to  entertain  guests,  such 
entertainment  to  be  left  to  the  discretion  of  President  and  Sec- 
retaries, sustained  by  endorsement  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 
It  was  voted  that  the  chairmen  of  departments  be  on  the  Presi- 
dent's World's  Fair  Committee,  and  that  the  Club  rooms  be 
kept  open  during  the  entire  Fair.  On  June  17,  1893,  it  was 
voted  that  the  President  be  at  the  Club  rooms  on  Wednes- 
days during  the  summer  from  4  to  6  P.  M.  for  the  entertainment 
of  Club  members  and  guests  from  abroad,  a  simple  tea  to  be 
served. 

During  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1893  a  series  of  after- 
noon   teas    was    inaugurated,    which    proved    most    helpful    in 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  105 

developing  the  social  qualities  of  the  Club,  and  providing  a 
halting  place  for  the  many  strangers  who  came  to  us  during 
the  World's  Fair.  These  proved  to  be  wonderful  mediums  for 
the  interchange  of  thought  and  plans. 

A  historical  sketch  of  the  Club,  which  had  been  prepared 
by  Celia  Parker  Woolley  for  the  General  Federation  exhibit 
in  1892,  was  amplified,  and  the  pictures  of  the  ten  Club  presi- 
dents added.  The  calendar  for  the  current  year,  and  a  com- 
plete list  of  the  517  members  were  included.  This  book  was 
distributed  from  the  booth  of  the  Women's  Club  at  the  World's 
Fair.  Many  members  of  the  Club  were  in  regular  attendance 
at  the  booth,  the  departments  taking  charge  in  turn. 

A  meeting  of  the  Club  was  held  November  30,  1892,  in 
charge  of  the  Philosophy  and  Science  Department,  the  subject 
being  "Sunday  closing  of  the  World's  Fair."  The  following 
resolutions  were  read: 

Whereas:  The  World's  Columbian  Exposition  is  intended 
to  illustrate  the  world's  achievements  in  the  arts,  industries 
and  civilization,  together  with  many  of  nature's  rarest  and 
most  wonderful  productions,  and  is  enlightening,  and  therefore 
moral  in  its  effect;  and  no  day  can  be  desecrated  by  the  en- 
joyment of  its  opportunities  and  advantages. 

To  close  the  gates  of  the  exposition  on  Sundays  would  be 
to  restrict  the  opportunity  for  its  enjoyment  of  those  who  have 
few  advantages  in  life  at  the  best,  and  would  add  to  the  cost 
of  admission  for  them  the  price  of  a  day's  wages: 

If  we  would  call  it  a  World's  Exposition  and  claim  for  it 
universality  in  scope  and  effect,  we  must  be  cosmopolitan  and 
not  provincial  in  its  administration. 

Therefore:  Be  it  resolved  by  the  Chicago  Women's  Club, 
in  general  meeting,  that  Congress  be  asked  to  repeal  the  pro- 
vision of  the  Souvenir  Appropriation  Bill,  passed  at  the  last 
session  of  Congress,  which  requires  that  the  Exposition  be 
closed  on  Sundays. 

The  resolutions  were  carefully  considered.  Among  the 
arguments  brought  forward  by  the  members,  were  the  follow- 


106  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ing:  The  same  arguments  were  used  by  opponents  to  the  Sun- 
day opening  of  the  Fair,  that  had  been  used  by  those  who  were 
opposed  to  the  Sunday  opening  of  the  Art  Institute  and  the 
city  parks.  A  member  favored  the  resolution  because  she  be- 
longed to  the  working  class  and  Sunday  was  the  only  day  on 
which  she  could  attend  the  Fair.  The  resolution  appealed  to 
common  sense  and  justice,  as  the  closing  of  the  Fair  on  Sun- 
day would  be  an  unjust  discrimination  against  classes  who 
cannot  afford  to  take  week  days  for  visits  to  the  Fair.  Open 
wide  the  doors  on  Sunday  and  a  purer,  better  civilization  will 
result.  A  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Indiana  said  her 
state  was  the  first  whose  committee  voted  to  keep  the  Fair 
open  on  Sunday.  They  were  immediately  besieged  by  letters 
from  all  parts  of  the  state  begging  them  to  vote  against  open 
Sunday,  but  when  the  vote  was  taken,  the  committee  was  in 
favor  of  an  open  Sunday.  One  member  objected  to  the  Fair 
being  open  on  Sunday  in  the  same  way  as  throughout  the 
week;  there  should  be  certain  restrictions.  She  gave  Mrs. 
Tuley's  definition  of  religion,  viz.:  Religion  is  love  of,  ad- 
miration for  and  desire  to  reach  the  noblest  ideal  possible  to 
conceive.  Under  restrictions  the  masses  could  go  to  the  Fair, 
and  get  great  good.  Another  spoke  in  favor  of  the  resolu- 
tions. Two  or  three  questions  should  be  borne  in  mind:  The 
good  order  of  the  city;  that  many  mothers  will  have  little  op- 
portunity for  enjoying  the  Fair  except  on  Sundays,  when  they 
have  the  help  of  the  fathers  with  the  children.  Many  would 
come  from  a  distance  who  can  afford  to  spend  but  one  week 
and  we  have  no  right  to  take  one-seventh  of  their  time.  Mrs. 
Henrotin  said  her  audiences  were  all  at  first  in  favor  of  Sun- 
day closing,  but  she  found  now  a  change  of  sentiment.  We 
can  make  a  record  of  Sunday  as  a  day  of  rest,  not  a  Conti- 
nental nor  a  Puritan  Sunday.  We  were  to  have  great  preaching 
services,  great  choral  services.  The  foreigners  who  were  pres- 
ent at  the  dedicatory  exercises  admitted  that  the  buildings  were 
grand,  but  the  orderly,  quiet  throngs  were  what  most  impressed 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  107 

them.  A  standing  vote  was  taken,  and  a  large  majority  was 
in  favor  of  the  resolution. 

December  7,  1892,  at  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  the  President  referred  to  numerous  letters  received 
by  her,  endorsing  the  action  of  the  Club.  One  director  said 
there  was  a  minority  in  the  club,  opposed  to  the  resolution, 
who  based  their  opposition  on  the  plea  that  the  question  was  a 
religious  one,  and  religion,  politics  and  suffrage  are  barred. 
The  President  reminded  her  that  an  open  meeting  had  been 
held,  and  the  minority  had  not  expressed  itself.  A  special 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  was  held  January  4,  1893,  to 
consider  the  advisability  of  sending  delegates  to  Washington 
to  support  the  Sunday  opening  of  the  World's  Fair,  at  the  pub- 
lic hearing,  to  be  given  January  10.  Two  delegates  were  sent 
and  on  January  18,  1893,  Mrs.  Boyeson  told  of  the  gratifying 
reception  accorded  to  them,  and  of  the  work  accomplished. 

January  25,  1893,  Miss  Halsted  moved  that  a  committee 
be  formed  to  consider  the  protection  of  innocent  girls  during 
the  Fair.  The  President  appointed  Miss  Halsted  chairman  of 
this  committee,  who  requested  that  the  chairmen  of  the  Re- 
form and  Philanthropy  Departments  be  made  members.  Mrs. 
Harvey  of  the  Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children 
was  also  added.  March  15,  1893,  the  committee  for  the  protec- 
tion of  women  and  girls  during  the  Fair  recommended  that 
the  Club  elect  a  delegate  from  each  department  and  work 
through  the  Protective  Agency,  and  that  such  delegates  con- 
stitute a  committee  in  the  Protective  Agency  for  this  special 
work  and  report  regularly  to  the  Club. 

March  28,  1894,  Mrs.  Isabelle  P.  Taylor  presented  a  re- 
port of  the  special  committee  from  the  Club  to  the  Protective 
Agency  on  World's  Fair  work  in  1893.  She  reported  that 
30,000  copies  of  warning  letters  were  sent  out  presenting  the 
dangers  to  which  unprotected  girls  might  be  exposed  during  the 
term  of  the  Fair.  The  committee  suggested  that  one  or  more 
representatives  be  sent  to  the  Protective  Agency  to  stand  for 


108  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  protection  of  young  girls,  and  if  it  seems  advisable,  to  co- 
operate with  the  Society  for  Social  Purity.  The  Club  continued 
the  work  through  the  Protective  Agency. 

April  26,  1893,  the  coming  of  the  Liberty  Bell  to  our 
city  was  announced  to  the  Club.  A  committee  was  appointed 
to  co-operate  in  plans  for  its  reception.  As  chairman  of  the 
committee,  the  President  stated  that  the  committee  decided  to 
have  an  original  flag  of  the  thirteen  states,  with  Chicago  Wom- 
en's Club  printed  on  it,  which  should  be  kept  as  a  memento. 
It  proved  to  be  the  only  flag  on  the  Liberty  Bell  car.  The  flag 
was  placed  in  the  Club  booth  in  the  Woman's  Building  at  the 
World's  Fair. 

May  18,  1893,  the  Club  gave  a  reception  to  the  Congress 
of  Representative  Women  in  the  banquet  room  of  the  Audi- 
torium. June  28,  1893,  the  president  called  the  board  to  con- 
sider entertainment  of  the  approaching  Congresses,  which  would 
convene  at  the  Art  Palace  during  July  and  August.  She  wished 
to  contradict  the  impression  that  the  Women's  Club  was  solely 
committed  to  practical  work  to  the  exclusion  of  literature  and 
education.  A  letter  was  read  from  Mrs.  Henrotin  suggesting 
that  the  Club  extend  courtesies  to  the  Literary  Congress.  It 
was  voted  to  entertain  the  Literary  Congress  at  the  Club 
Wednesday,  July  12.  It  was  stated  that  Mrs.  Palmer  and  Mrs. 
Henrotin  desired  the  Women's  Club  to  take  charge  of  the  Lit- 
erary Congress  in  the  matters  of  general  oversight  and  the  pro- 
vision of  ushers.  The  Art  and  Literature  Department  was 
instructed  to  do  all  in  its  power  to  promote  the  interests  of 
the  Literary  Congress.  Mrs.  Wilkinson  referred  to  the  Con- 
gress on  Household  Economics,  which  convened  at  the  Art 
Palace,  Monday,  October  18,  for  a  ten-day  session,  requesting 
the  attendance  of  the  members. 

October  4,  1893,  Miss  Sophie  Friedland,  of  St.  Petersburg, 
Russia,  addressed  the  Club.  The  Club  extended  hospitality  dur- 
ing the  entire  Exposition,  to  individuals,  as  well  as  to  organiza- 
tions, and  was  represented  on  committees  of  exhibits  as  well  as 
congresses,  and  on  the  official  staff  of  the  management. 


109 


During  the  Club  year,  1893-94,  the  Home  Department  dis- 
cussed at  eight  regular  meetings  the  different  features  of  the 
Columbian  Exposition  as  follows:  The  exhibit  of  education, 
ethnology,  inventions  and  patents  of  women,  architecture,  needle 
work,  floriculture,  sanitation,  painting.  The  following  sketch  of 
the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Physical  Culture  and  Correct 
Dress  was  written  by  Mrs.  Agnes  A.  Holmes  upon  request  of  the 
history  committee: 

The  "Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Physical  Culture  and 
Correct  Dress"  was  organized  May  14,  1888,  by  a  group  of  Chi- 
cago women,  at  a  lecture  by  Anna  Jenness  Miller  on  reform  in 
dress.  It  was  immediately  adopted  as  part  of  the  Home  Com- 
mittee of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club.  It  soon  had  a  member- 
ship of  over  three  hundred,  numbering  among  the  more  active 
members  Mmes.  Frances  M.  Steele,  Dr.  Julia  Holmes  Smith, 
Mary  H.  Wilmarth,  Emily  N.  Nolan,  Kate  H.  Watson,  M.  E. 
Keen,  Laura  B.  Kett,  Carl  Dreier,  Annie  W.  Johnson,  Emma 
Parker  and  Agnes  Holmes.  Its  object  was  mutual  help  in 
learning  the  highest  standards  of  physical  development,  and 
mutual  counsel  towards  realizing  those  standards  in  prac- 
tical life.  It  aimed  to  give  countenance  to  all  serious  efforts 
to  clothe  the  newly  acquired  ideal  proportions  in  such  a 
manner  as  should  secure  healthful  freedom,  graceful  expres- 
sion, harmonious  color  and  fitness  to  condition  and  person- 
ality. The  rapid  changes  of  fashions  are  in  the  interest  of  com- 
merce. Women  are  restless  and  dissatisfied  and  always  crying 
out  for  a  change  and  the  delirium  goes  on  until,  in  the  course 
of  twenty  years,  a  woman  assumes  every  shape  under  heaven 
except  her  own.  How  directly  opposed  is  this  spirit  to  the  true 
spirit  of  art — art,  which  is  founded  in  truth  and  practiced  in 
sincerity,  whose  office  is  to  hold  up  the  ideal. 

A  set  of  rules  was  formulated  by  which  to  determine  the 
artistic  value  of  gowns  on  a  study  of  the  ideal  proportions 
of  ancient  sculpture,  the  Venus  di  Milo  being  the  inspiration  for 
the  efforts  of  the  members  of  this  society.  Consequently  the 
members  could  not  conform  to  the  fashions,  and  so  encountered 


110  ANNALS  OF  THE 

much  ridicule  and  suffered  quite  a  little  martyrdom,  but  most 
cheerfully,  having  all  the  fervor  of  a  new  cause.  Many  of  the 
reforms  in  dress  they  stood  for,  have  become  the  fashions  of 
later  days,  the  short  skirt,  heavy  foot-wear,  high  and  larger 
waist  line,  less  and  less  corset  and  less  and  less  petticoats.  The 
society  gave  an  exhibition  in  the  Woman's  Building  at  the  Chi- 
cago World's  Fair.  The  large  room  was  lined  with  copies  of 
world  famous  pictures,  representing  women  ideally  clothed  over 
ideal  bodies. 

The  gowns  exhibited  were  fitted  to  the  proportions  of  the 
Venus  de'Medici.  The  propaganda  literature  was  circulated, 
lectures  on  "Artistic  Dress,"  "Fashion's  Slaves,"  "The  Unreason- 
ableness of  Modern  Dress,"  "The  Corset,"  "The  Influence  of 
Dress  in  Producing  the  Physical  Decadence  of  Women" — given 
by  members,  doctors  and  guests  of  the  society  among  whom  were 
Harriet  Hosmer  and  Walter  Crane.  Thousands  of  women  vis- 
ited this  exhibit  and  expressed  great  interest  and  gratitude  at 
the  promise  of  some  release  from  the  bondage  of  fashions. 
Harriet  Hosmer  and  Mrs.  French  Sheldon  spoke  at  a  reception 
May  14,  1893,  emphasizing  the  principles  of  correct  dress.  A 
book  was  written  by  two  members,  Frances  M.  Steele  and 
Elizabeth  L.  S.  Adams,  called  "Beauty  of  Form  and  Grace 
of  Vesture,"  a  guide  to  an  intelligent  understanding  of  the  ideals 
and  motives  of  the  society. 

The  organization  disbanded  in  1896,  as  the  membership 
slowly  fell  off,  the  difficulties  of  finding  dressmakers  who  grasped 
the  point  of  view  being  great,  and  many  feeling  it  wiser  to  con- 
form to  the  prevailing  fashions  as  much  as  possible,  with  the 
keeping  of  health  and  comfort  in  view — for  which  the  members, 
though  scattered,  still  stand.  The  artistic  ideal  was  more  or 
less  abandoned  by  most  of  the  members.  To  be  conspicuous  was 
felt  to  be  too  high  a  price  to  pay.  It  was  a  unique  movement, 
appearing  at  the  same  time  in  Germany  to  such  an  extent  that 
patterns  of  the  gowns  can  still  be  obtained  in  many  German 
cities;  also  in  England  among  the  Pre-Raphaelites,  the  English 
being  more  like  the  Chicago  Society,  feeling  after  the  ideal  rather 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  111 

than  the  utilitarian.  Walter  Crane  and  Mrs.  Crane,  guests  of 
the  society,  on  seeing  the  efforts  at  an  ideal  of  artistic  dress 
among  the  members,  said  that  our  movement  had  surpassed  theirs 
in  beauty,  dignity  of  design,  as  well  as  in  the  use  of  textiles  and 
colors.  In  many  ways  the  work  of  this  society  has  not  been  lost. 
Here  and  there  among  Chicago  women,  may  occasionally,  even 
now,  be  seen  a  gown  that  expresses  the  vision  and  ideality  of 
the  wearer.  This  group  of  "dress  reformers,"  many  of  them 
members  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  are  glad  to  have  had  a 
small  office  among  the  activities  of  the  Home  Department. 

Mrs.  Caroline  S.  Twyman  writes  January  9,  1911 :  "Perhaps 
one  of  the  most  interesting  events  I  can  recall  is  the  choosing  of 
the  design  for  our  Club  pin.  It  was  in  the  year  1893,  and  during 
Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Stevenson's  presidency,  that  at  a  regular 
meeting  of  the  Club,  Dr.  Bedell  moved  that  a  committee  be  ap- 
pointed to  secure  designs  for  a  club  pin,  or  badge;  she  said  it 
was  most  important  that  action  should  be  taken  at  once  for  this 
purpose,  because  of  the  World's  Fair,  which  was  then  about  to 
open.  Mrs.  H.  M.  Wilmarth  and  I  were  appointed  a  committee. 
We  therefore  called  on  all  the  leading  jewelers  of  the  city,  and 
asked  them  to  submit  designs;  upon  receiving  them  I  showed 
Mr.  Twyman  the  collection  and  he  offered  to  make  a  design 
also,  upon  the  condition  that  all  should  be  submitted  to  the  Club 
with  no  names  affixed,  so  that  the  choice  might  be  perfectly  im- 
partial. At  a  meeting  held  in  Recital  Hall,  Dr.  Stevenson  asked 
for  a  report  of  the  committee's  Club  pin  designs,  when  Mr. 
T\yyman's  was  chosen,  and  the  committee  instructed  to  order 
the  pins  made  at  once.  During  the  year  1893,  nearly  every  mem- 
ber of  the  Club  wrote  to  the  committee  for  a  pin,  which  was 
promptly  delivered.  I  now  have  the  original  drawing,  and  on 
my  return  to  Chicago,  I  intend  to  have  it  framed  and  present 
it  to  the  Club." 

The  chairman  of  the  Reform  Department  made  the  following 
statement  to  the  Club  at  its  annual  meeting  May,  1893 : 

"We  could  hardly  ask  assistance  in  department  work  of  cer- 
tain members,  so  onerous  have  been  their  duties  at  the  Exposi- 


112  ANNALS  OF  THE 

tion.  Among  these  Mrs.  Potter  Palmer,  president  of  the  Board  of 
Lady  Managers  of  the  Columbian  Exposition ;  Mrs.  Charles  Hen- 
rotin,  president  of  the  Women's  Auxiliary  Congress  of  the  Co- 
lumbian Exposition ;  Mrs.  L.  B.  Shattuck,  one  of  the  Lady  Com- 
missioners of  the  World's  Fair;  Mrs.  Frank  Gilbert,  one  of  the 
Illinois  Board  of  Lady  Commissioners;  Mrs.  George  Dunlap, 
projector  and  manager  of  the  Children's  Building  of  the  Colum- 
bian Exposition,  and  other  members  hold  important  positions  on 
the  Congress  committees.  Among  others  who  have  had  en- 
grossing political  duties  were:  Miss  Frances  Willard,  president 
of  the  World's  W.  C.  T.  U. ;  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Stevenson,  presi- 
dent of  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  and  Mrs.  James  M.  Flower,  of 
the  Board  of  Education."  Each  department  in  turn  might  tell 
the  same  tale  of  members,  who,  in  addition  to  the  activities  of 
the  Exposition,  still  continued  their  Club  duties.  The  regular 
program  was  occupied  with  subjects  of  great  moment;  study 
classes  continued  their  activities,  and  special  committees  devoted 
themselves  to  the  arduous  tasks  in  civic  work. 

The  Exposition  brought  many  noted  people  to  the  city,  to 
whom  the  Club  extended  a  welcome.  The  social  meeting  on 
March  30,  1892,  was  a  reception  in  honor  of  Dr.  Stevenson. 
Tuesday,  April  19,  1892,  the  Club  gave  a  reception  to  Hamilton 
W.  Mabie,  to  which  many  guests  were  invited,  among  them  the 
clergymen  and  editors  of  the  city,  the  Literary  Club  and  the 
Fortnightly.  Among  other  guests  of  the  Club  during  1893,  were 
the  following  women:  Harriet  Hosmer,  Madame  Modjeska, 
Julia  Marlowe,  Maud  Ballington  Booth,  Susan  B.  Anthony,  Julia 
Ward  Howe,  Baroness  Gripenberg,  Lady  Somerset,  Mrs.  Dilke, 
Mrs.  Ormiston-Chant.  April  6,  Mrs.  Sarah  V.  Le  Moyne  gave 
a  reading  under  the  auspices  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Depart- 
ment, Mme.  Chatterton  furnishing  the  music.  The  proceeds  were 
given  toward  completing  the  fund  for  the  Art  Institute  scholar- 
ship. Modern  art  was  announced  as  the  study  for  the  year, 
in  preparation  for  the  World's  Fair. 

Ellen  Martin  Henrotin,  vice-president  of  the  Woman's 
Branch  of  the  Congress  Auxiliary,  contributes  the  following 
sketch  of  the  Congress  Auxiliary  of  the  Columbian  Exposition: 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  113 

"The  Congress  Auxiliary  was  authorized  by  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors of  the  Exposition,  but  was  independent  in  its  government. 
It  was  organized  to  carry  on  a  series  of  world  conferences,  which 
the  Board  of  Directors  felt  was  too  great  an  undertaking  for  it 
to  attempt.  The  directors  of  the  Exposition  provided  for  halls 
in  which  to  hold  the  congresses  by  paying  $250,000.00  toward 
the  building  of  the  Art  Institute  on  the  Lake  Front.  This  build- 
ing contained  two  large  and  thirty-two  smaller  halls,  six  com- 
mittee rooms  and  offices;  the  board  also  appropriated  a  fund  to 
pay  the  president's  salary,  those  of  the  president's  and  vice-presi- 
dent's secretaries,  and  also  for  printing.  Mr.  C.  C.  Borniey  was 
president  of  the  auxiliary,  and  had  the  appointing  of  all  com- 
mittees. Mrs.  James  M.  Flower,  Mrs.  Charles  Henrotin  and  Mrs. 
H.  M.  Wilmarth  addressed  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Potter  Palmer, 
President  of  the  Board  of  Lady  Managers,  requesting  her  to  hold 
a  series  of  congresses  in  connection  with  her  Board.  Mrs. 
Palmer  could  not  find  the  authority  requisite  in  the  law  passed 
by  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  which  created  the  Board 
of  Lady  Managers  to  organize  such  a  department,  and  recom- 
mended that  application  be  made  to  the  Board  of  Directors  to 
appoint  a  committee  of  women  to  act  in  conjunction  with  the 
committee  of  men  of  the  Congress  Auxiliary.  This  was  done 
and  the  Woman's  Branch  of  the  Auxiliary  was  named:  Mrs. 
Potter  Palmer,  as  President  of  the  Board  of  Lady  Managers, 
was  President  of  the  Woman's  Branch,  and  Mrs.  Charles  Hen- 
rotin was  Vice-President.  Committees  of  women  for  the  organ- 
ization were  appointed  for  every  department  in  which  women 
would  be  supposed  to  desire  representation.  Joint  committees 
of  men  and  women  were  not  appointed,  but  both  often  held  joint 
meetings  for  conference,  and  as  the  congresses  progressed  many 
agreed  to  act  as  one:  as  in  medicine  and  surgery,  moral  and  so- 
cial reform,  literature,  education,  etc.  The  total  number  of  con- 
gresses held  from  May  15,  1893,  to  November  1  of  the  same 
year  were  210,  total  number  of  sessions,  1,245.  For  almost 
every  congress  the  Vice  President  found  a  chairman  from  the 
local  committee  on  which  about  500  women  served.  This  was 


114  ANNALS  OF  THE 

very  remarkable  to  find  in  one  group,  women  capable  of  repre- 
senting such  varied  interests.  Advisory  councils  of  foreign 
women  were  elected,  over  300  Europeans  accepted,  and  similar 
counsels  were  appointed  in  America,  983  accepted.  These  figures 
do  not  include  the  large  number  on  committees  of  the  Congress 
of  Representative  Women.  The  number  of  members  of  the  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club,  members  of  committees,  was  about  400, 
while  a  surprising  number  were  chairmen  of  committees,  as  fol- 
lows: 

Medicine  and  Surgery  Congress,  Dr.  Julia  Holmes  Smith. 
Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Stevenson,  Dr.  Marie  E.  Reasner;  Temper- 
ance Congress,  Mrs.  Matilda  B.  Carse;  Moral  and  Social  Re- 
form Congress,  Mrs.  James  M.  Flower;  Educational  Congress, 
Mrs.  Henry  M.  Wilmarth;  Higher  Education,  Mrs.  William  V. 
Moody;  Science  and  Philosophy,  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Sherman: 
Social  Settlements,  Miss  Jane  Addams;  Household  Economics, 
Mrs.  John  Wilkinson;  Philology  and  Archaeology,  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Armstrong  Reed;  Manual  and  Art  Education,  Miss  Ellen 
Gates  Starr;  International  League  of  Collegiate  Alumnae,  Mrs. 
Martha  Foote  Crow ;  Congress  on  Government,  Mrs.  Myra 
Bradwell,  Mrs.  Bessie  Bradwell  Helmer;  Suffrage,  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Boynton  Harbert;  Psychic  Science,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Bundy; 
Stenography,  Mrs.  George  Bass;  Labor,  Mrs.  Charles  Henrotin. 

Denominational  Congresses  in  Congress  of  Religions:  Jew- 
ish, Mrs.  Henry  Solomon;  Catholic,  Mrs.  Daniel  Gallery;  Swe- 
denborg,  Miss  Marianne  E.  Scammon;  Unitarian,  Mrs.  Marian 
N.  Perkins. 

In  so  brief  a  record  of  the  part  taken  in  these  meetings  the 
list  of  speakers  is  too  long  to  be  cited;  there  was  scarcely 
one  in  which  a  member  of  the  Club  did  not  present  a  paper. 
The  reception  committee  was  on  duty  from  the  beginning  to  the 
end.  The  Club  entertained  every  congress  in  the  series,  and 
for  several  gave  most  elaborate  and  beautiful  entertainments, 
notably  the  one  given  to  the  members  of  the  Congress  of  Repre- 
sentative Women.  Mrs.  Flower's  organization  of  her  Con- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  115 

gress  in  which  the  committee  of  men  acted  with  her,  was 
practically  adoptetd  by  all  succeeding  .  chairmen;  her  ar- 
rangements for  the  comfort  of  the  delegates  was  complete. 
Mrs.  Flower  appointed  members  of  her  committee  to  meet 
all  strangers  and  direct  them  to  the  halls  where  were  held 
the  general  Congress  or  the  informal  conferences  they  desired 
to  attend.  It  was  difficult  to  find  one's  way  where  several  meet- 
ings were  in  session  and  the  courtesy  of  the  committee  members 
was  commented  on  all  over  the  country,  and  it  was  usually 
added:  'They  were  nearly  all  Club  members.'  It  is  impossible 
to  form  a  conception  of  the  amount  of  effort  necessary  to  start 
the  organization,  a  very  heavy  share  of  the  burden  fell  to  the 
Club  members.  In  truth  the  success  of  the  Auxiliary  was  largely 
due  to  the  exertions  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  and  the  co- 
operation of  all  the  city  clubs,  the  beautiful  receptions  given  to 
the  delegates,  all  was  owing  in  a  large  measure  to  the  spirit  of  co- 
operation evinced  by  the  clubs.  As  to  the  permanent  effect  of 
so  much  endeavor,  several  associations,  councils  and  innumer- 
able clubs  were  organized;  without  doubt  The  National  Council 
of  Jewish  Women  was  the  most  successful.  It  practically  took 
on  an  international  character,  and  is  now,  thanks  to  the  executive 
ability  of  the  chairman,  afterwards  President,  a  power  for  good, 
not  alone  in  America,  but  all  over  the  known  world.  Mrs. 
Solomon  labored  from  the  inception  of  the  Woman's  Branch  to 
make  her  congress  a  permanent  association.  The  Catholic 
Woman's  League  was  also  organized  at  this  time,  a  large  and 
flourishing  organization  at  present.  The  International  Lutheran 
Woman's  League  has  been  very  quietly  a  success.  The  National 
Economic  Household  Association  became  scattered  as  its  branches 
adopted  various  names.  During  the  Congress  of  Representa- 
tive Women  the  National  Council  of  Women  was  organized. 

The  Vice-President  is  eager  to  take  this  opportunity  to 
express  her  gratitude  to  all  the  chairmen  of  the  men's  com- 
mittees, who  constantly  offered  their  services.  Mrs.  Palmer,  the 
President  of  the  Woman's  Branch,  in  spite  of  her  onerous 


116  ANNALS  OF  THE 

duties,  was  always  ready  to  advise  and  to  assist  in  lifting 
lions  from  the  path.  One  thing  alone  remains  to  be  said,  and 
that  is  to  bear  witness  to  the  devotion  and  zeal  of  the  chairmen 
of  the  Woman's  Branch,  who  united  in  making  out  and  carry- 
ing forward  the  programmes.  As  I  recall  them  one  by  one, 
members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  and  sister  clubs,  their 
generous  co-operation  has  deeply  affected  me.  The  memory  of 
the  hours  we  have  passed  together  will  be  the  most  brilliant  and 
soul-satisfying  of  my  eventful  life.  No  one  can  realize,  except 
passing  through  a  similar  experience,  the  limitations  of  any  one 
person's  work  or  of  a  plan,  but  the  loyalty  of  the  women  associated 
in  this  work  made  it  the  splendid  success  it  was.  The  Con- 
gresses of  1892  helped  in  the  preparation  of  women  to  face  the 
many  complex  social  problems  in  which  they  now  bear  a  large 
part.  The  attendance  of  women  at  such  public  meetings  and 
their  participation  in  the  deliberations,  gave  them  the  needed 
executive  ability  and  courage  to  face  difficult  questions,  a  cour- 
age which  nothing  but  wisdom  can  justify  and  which  can  be 
made  available  only  by  those  of  experience  and  broad  sym- 
pathies." 

Oct.  11,  1893,  Miss  Kate  Field  presented  plans  for  the  es- 
tablishment of  labor  bureaus  which  would  avert  the  congestion  of 
unemployed  in  large  cities,  such  offices  to  be  first  under  the 
direction  of  the  city,  then  of  the  state,  and  later  on  possibly 
becoming  national.  She  hoped  the  Chicago  Women's  Club 
would  take  the  initiative  in  this  matter.  At  the  close  of  the 
paper,  the  President  suggested  that  perhaps  this  Club  could 
work  through  established  organizations  and  institute  a  Bureau 
for  the  Unemployed.  On  October  25,  1893,  Mrs.  Mary  Mc- 
Callum  of  London,  actively  interested  in  the  Charity  Organiza- 
tion Society  of  London,  read  a  paper  upon  the  "English  Poor 
Law — Its  Intention  and  Results." 

Dec.  13,  1893,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Board,  Mrs.  Henrotin 
eloquently  appealed  to  the  Women's  Club  to  take  the  initiative 
in  caring  for  the  destitute  women  and  children.  The  President 
Dr.  Stevenson,  read  a  personal  letter  from  Mrs."  Potter  Palmer 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  117 

enclosing  a  check  for  $1,000.00,  which  she  desired  used 
for  the  present  need.  It  was  decided  that  Mrs.  Palmer  be  made 
honorary  president  of  any  relief  organization  which  might  be 
formed  in  the  present  emergency.  The  matter  of  relief  was  left 
in  the  hands  of  a  committee  with  the  President  as  chairman, 
and  the  first  director  of  departments,  with  power  to  add  to  and 
elect  their  own  officers. 

Room  29  of  the  Athenaeum  Building  was  immediately 
thrown  open,  sewing  machines  placed  there  and  the  work  of 
making  up  material  furnished  by  the  School  Children's  Aid 
Society  into  clothing  for  needy  school  children,  in  connection 
with  the  School  Children's  Aid  Society,  was  given  to  poor 
women  in  need  of  it,  at  75  cents  per  day.  The  room  upon  trial 
proved  too  small  and  too  dark,  and  another  large,  light  and  airy 
room  was  secured  at  a  nominal  rental  in  the  New  Era  Building, 
corner  of  Blue  Island  avenue  and  Halsted  street,  which  might 
be  retained  as  long  as  the  necessity  for  the  work  existed  and 
the  funds  held  out.  Fifty  women  applied  on  December  19, 
and  were  at  once  set  to  work  making  warm  dresses,  skirts  and 
aprons.  The  School  Children's  Aid  Society  furnished  shoes, 
stockings,  etc.  It  was  considered  best  to  reduce  the  wages  to 
50  cents  per  day,  and  to  serve  to  the  working  women  daily 
lunches  for  the  Hull  House  Cafe  at  an  additional  cost  of  10 
cents  each. 

Dr.  Stevenson  spoke  hopefully  of  the  future  good  of  this 
attempt  at  united  charity  organization,  from  which  permanent 
good  should  come.  She  drew  attention  to  the  meeting  to  be  held 
December  27th,  at  room  29  Athenaeum  Building,  where,  besides 
the  members  of  the  Women's  Club,  representatives  from  other 
clubs  were  expected.  The  object  of  this  meeting  was  to  dis- 
cuss the  best  manner  of  procedure  in  the  work  and  to  increase 
the  interest  in  co-operation.  She  further  stated  that  while  the 
Women's  Club  Emergency  Association  was  to  act  through 
existing  organizations  and  at  present  most  directly  through  the 
School  Children's  Aid  Society,  it  was  not  to  antagonize  the 
methods  of  the  Central  Relief  Association. 


118  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Delegates  from  co-operating  organizations  in  the  work  of 
relief  were  invited  to  attend  the  Club  meeting  held  Wednesday, 
December  27,  1893,  in  behalf  of  the  unemployed  and  destitute; 
the  subject  of  discussion  was  "The  Condition  of  the  Unem- 
ployed of  this  City — Causes  and  Remedies." 

The  following  resolutions  were  read  and  unanimously 
adopted : 

Whereas,  There  are  many  girls  and  young  women  out  of 
employment  who  formerly  filled  positions  as  clerks  in  retail 
dry  goods  and  department  stores,  and  as  many  of  these  girls 
and  women  have  no  means  of  support,  and  no  training  or  edu- 
cation to  prepare  them  for  other  branches  of  industry  which, 
but  for  the  present  financial  and  industrial  depression,  might  be 
open  to  them,  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  representing  the  women's  charitable 
clubs  or  societies  of  Chicago,  hereby  express  our  sympathy  with 
our  sisters  and  our  desire  and  determination  to  help  them  in 
their  distress  and  need.  Furthermore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  as  a  body,  beg  employers  to  retain 
in  their  stores  and  make  room  for  as  many  women  and  girls 
as  they  possibly  can,  thus  lessening  the  number  of  needy  unem- 
ployed who  must  be  cared  for  and  looked  after  this  winter. 
And  it  is  further 

Resolved,  That  a  special  committee  of  seven  be  ap- 
pointed at  this  meeting  to  work  for  the  best  interests  of  this 
great  class  of  women  and  girls  and  that  the  public  press  be 
asked  to  publish  these  resolutions  and  the  names  of  the  com- 
mittee appointed  to  take  charge  of  this  special  work  and  the 
office  of  said  committee  at  present,  Room  29,  Athenaeum 
Building. 

It  was  reported  that  seventy  women  were  employed  in  the 
work  room  in  the  New  Era  Building.  December  27,  the  chair- 
man of  the  Philanthropy  Department  reported  that  twelve  mem- 
bers had  pledged  themselves  to  visit  104  families  of  unemployed 
men  who  had  registered  at  the  lake  front  or  at  the  city  hall. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  119 

An  urgent  appeal  was  made  for  more  persons  to  visit  police 
stations,  especially  those  containing  women  and  children. 

On  the  same  date  the  corresponding  secretary  announced 
an  entertainment  to  be  given  January  26,  1894,  at  Hooley's 
Theatre,  for  the  benefit  of  the  School  Children's  Aid  Society. 

March  21,  1894,  the  Board  held  a  special  meeting  to  con- 
sider making  an  appropriation  of  $500.00  from  the  Club  Treas- 
ury to  the  Emergency  Fund.  The  Treasurer  of  the  Emergency 
Association  came  before  the  Board  and  stated  that  recent  sub- 
scriptions having  been  received  sufficient  to  meet  the  necessity, 
an  appropriation  from  the  Club  would  not  be  needed. 

Jan.  10,  1894,  Dr.  Stevenson  reported  on  behalf  of  the  Re- 
lief Committee  that  funds  were  being  received  and  work  pro- 
gressing satisfactorily;  that  Miss  Sweet  had  been  appointed 
chairman  of  a  committee  to  look  after  the  Retail  Clerks'  As- 
sociation. She  also  reported  that  nearly  all  women's  clubs  in 
Chicago  and  suburbs  were  participating  in  the  good  work.  The 
gravest  question  which  presented  itself  was  how  to  relieve  per- 
sons in  their  homes,  burdened  with  mortgages  on  their  furni- 
ture and  behind  in  rent,  and  possibly  sick  besides.  She  also 
reported  that  there  was  a  prospect  of  two  new  work  rooms  being 
opened,  one  on  the  south  and  one  on  the  north  side.  Mrs. 
Flower  stated  that  she  came  in  behalf  of  Mr.  H.  J.  Furber,  who 
offered  the  use  of  Hooley's  Theatre  to  the  Women's  Club  one 
afternoon  for  the  benefit  of  the  Emergency  Fund.  It  was  pro- 
posed to  invite  the  women  who  are  doing  such  faithful  work  to 
meet  and  discuss  plans. 

Mrs.  Abbott,  Chairman  of  the  Women's  Club  Emergency 
Association,  reported  February  21,  1894,  that  $600.00  had  been 
donated  to  the  fund  and  that  much  visiting  of  destitute  families 
had  been  accomplished.  Thirty  members  of  the  Club  were  in 
attendance  at  the  work  room  at  560  Wabash  avenue.  An 
abundance  of  work  was  on  hand  which  had  been  sent  in  by 
hospitals  and  other  institutions.  Eighty  women  were  at  work 
at  the  Unity  Industrial  School  at  80  Elm  street,  at  an  expense 
of  $250.00  per  week.  The  necessity  was  urged  that  frequent 


120  ANNALS  OF  THE 

reports  be  sent  to  the  Central  Relief  Association  of  the  work 
being  done  by  the  Emergency  Association.  March  4,  Mrs. 
Abbott  reported  that  the  work  room  at  the  New  Era  Building 
would  be  closed  on  the  24th  of  the  month,  but  that  the  women 
workers  would  not  be  dropped,  and  a  Registration  Bureau  was 
being  considered. 

The  Reform  Department  reported  that  the  Association  had 
raised  and  distributed  one  thousand  dollars  for  the  immediate 
necessities  of  the  women  employed.  The  Chairman  of  the  in- 
vestigating committee  was  Mrs.  Charles  Henrotin,  succeeded  by 
Mrs.  Edwin  H.  Keen,  who  was  herself  responsible  for  the  in- 
vestigation of  nearly  two  thousand  names  of  women  employed. 
These  were  all  reported  to  the  Central  Relief  Office  and  were 
on  file  in  the  rooms  of  the  Club.  Mrs.  H.  W.  Harwood  con- 
ducted the  mending  bureau  in  the  Humane  Society  rooms.  Mrs. 
Nixon,  in  charge  of  the  Emergency  Branch,  180  Elm  street, 
reported  80  women  at  work;  wages  were  paid  from  the  Emer- 
gency Fund;  other  expenses  were  defrayed  by  the  ladies  in 
charge. 

The  Home  Department  shows  the  following  report  for  this 
period:  Early  in  the  winter  when  the  work  of  the  Women's 
Club  Emergency  Association  was  undertaken,  the  Department 
assumed  its  part  and  members  had  charge  of  the  New  Era 
rooms  the  weeks  beginning  December  28  and  February  8. 
By  the  gift  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  from  one  member 
of  the  Home  Department,  it  was  made  possible  to  open  the 
sewing  rooms  at  197  Oakwood  Boulevard,  which  were  under  the 
direct  supervision  of  the  Friendly  Aid  Society.  These  rooms  we 
kept  filled  with  sewing  women  for  fifty-seven  days,  during  which 
thirteen  hundred  and  forty-four  articles  were  completed.  Gifts 
of  pieces  of  cloth  were  made  repeatedly  by  members  and 
$311  in  money  were  contributed  to  the  cause.  While  the 
Women's  Club  Emergency  Association  was  at  work,  Mrs. 
Wilkinson  kept  a  desk  in  Room  29,  and  all  applicants 
for  domestic  situations  were  sent  to  her  or  her  representa- 
tive, 128  cases  being  cared  for.  It  is  noticeable  that  since  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  121 

opening  of  the  Emergency  Bureau  the  number  of  cases  of  desti- 
tution reported  has  been  much  less.  Mrs.  John  Wilkinson 
gave  notice  of  a  piano  recital  by  Prof.  Boscovitz,  at  Recital 
Hall,  Wednesday,  January  31,  at  11  a.  m.,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Women's  Club  Emergency  Association,  proceeds  to  be  used 
to  teach  unemployed  women  to  cook. 

The  Philosophy  and  Science  Department  paused  in  the  midst 
of  a  psychology  course  to  appoint  its  quota  of  women  to  serve 
in  the  work  at  the  New  Era  Building.  One  of  the  members  of 
this  Department  was  superintendent  at  the  desk  of  the  House- 
hold Economic  Association,  where  992  names  were  enrolled  of 
women  seeking  work,  158  of  which  were  provided  for.  At  a 
meeting  under  the  auspices  of  the  Department,  the  discussion 
of  the  subject  brought  the  seriousness  of  the  city  situation  be- 
fore the  Club,  and  resulted  in  establishing  the  Emergency  Bureau. 

Feb.  9,  1894,  the  chairman  of  the  Art  and  Literature  De- 
partment spoke  of  the  admirable  work  of  the  Department  mem- 
bers at  the  emergency  work  rooms.  All  departments  bore  their 
share  of  the  work,  and  their  records  abound  in  items  which 
show  the  activity  and  interest  of  the  members  in  every  detail 
of  the  emergency  work. 

To  the  Education  Department  belongs  the  honor  of  being 
the  first  department  called  into  active  service  at  the  beginning 
of  the  emergency  work;  to  those  women  who  gave  their  en- 
tire time  to  the  work  until  its  close,  we  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude. 
The  School  Children's  Aid  with  its  great  demand  for  children's 
clothing  made  a  place  immediately  for  the  quantities  of  work 
done  by  the  women.  The  necessity  was  urged  of  keeping  the 
work  rooms  at  the  New  Era  Building  open  and  resulted  in  the 
contribution  by  members  and  others  of  $555.00. 

Agnes  Newell  Metcalf,  Treasurer  of  the  Emergency  Bu- 
reau, gives  the  following  items  concerning  the  work: 

"Nearly  twenty  thousand  dollars  was  received  and  dis- 
tributed, subscriptions  varying  from  25  cents  to  $1,000.00,  and 
from  all  parts  of  the  country.  The  work  was  kept  up  from 
November  1,  1893,  to  April  1,  1894.  In  order  to  avoid  interfer- 


122  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ing  with  established  manufacturers  the  work  supplied  by  the 
Association  was  such  as  could  not  at  that  time  be  found  in 
shops.  Much  hospital  sewing  was  done;  aprons,  comforters, 
etc.,  made.  Mrs.  Libby  furnished  all  the  cotton  and  woolen 
yarn  the  older  women  could  use  in  knitting.  Besides  the  pro- 
viding of  work  much  help  was  given  by  way  of  visiting  extreme 
cases  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  committee  formed  for  that 
purpose.  Three  hundred  women  were  in  attendance  for  some 
weeks ;  when  the  room  closed  there  were  fifty  women  who  said 
they  could  find  other  work." 

The  following  account  of  the  practical  workings  of  the 
Emergency  Bureau  is  contributed  by  Mrs.  M.  J.  R.  Tyler,  who 
was  in  constant  attendance  at  the  work  rooms: 

"Our  greatest  need  from  the  start  was  for  work,  and  not 
money.,  as  is  usually  the  case ;  money  poured  in  from  all  quarters. 
Through  Jane  Addams  a  substantial  lunch  for  10  cents  was 
served  these  women  in  the  gymnasium  at  Hull  House.  The 
greatest  difficulty  confronting  us  now  was  the  lack  of  quarters 
in  which  to  house  these  women  at  night.  They  were  paid  50 
cents  per  day,  and  after  their  three  meals  were  paid  for  there 
was  little  left  for  lodging.  A  committee  was  appointed  with 
Mrs.  M.  J.  R.  Tyler  as  Chairman,  and  soon  a  new  apartment 
building  in  Polk  street,  near  Halsted  street,  was  opened;  plainly 
and  neatly  furnished  rooms,  with  compulsory  bathing  and  a  clean 
night  dress  per  night,  were  provided  for  ten  cents  per  night. 
The  women  enjoyed  a  degree  of  comfort  hitherto  unknown  to 
most  of  them.  As  each  day  wore  on  we  had  a  wider  sense  of 
our  opportunities  and  fuller  comprehension  of  our  duties  to 
these  women.  Soon  a  number  of  persons  were  asking  us  to 
find  help  for  them  among  our  beneficiaries;  many  of  these 
women  were  foreigners  who  could  not  understand  one  word 
of  our  language,  this  rendered  an  interpreter  an  absolute  neces- 
sity. She  gave  many  hours  each  day  to  investigating  the  cases, 
and  to  Miss  Wilson  of  Hull  House  should  go  much  of  the 
credit  for  our  success  in  succoring  those  in  absolute  need.  Even 
when  we  were  able  to  procure  work  without  competing  with 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  123 

employed  labor,  we  found  that  our  transient  beneficiaries,  as  a 
rule,  were  not  good  seamstresses  and  did  not  stay  with  us  long 
enough  to  be  taught.  We  feel  sure  that  the  awakening  we  re- 
ceived during  that  memorable  winter  of  want  was  really  a 
period  of  preparation  for  the  fine  work  that  has  been  done 
along  philanthropic  and  civic  lines  since  by  women." 

At  the  Club  meeting  of  April  24,  1895,  there  was  a  pres- 
entation of  the  needs  of  the  Model  Lodging  House  by  Dr. 
Stevenson.  The  Lodging  House  was  an  outgrowth  of  the  emer- 
gency work  of  1893-94,  the  funds  left  from  that  work  being 
placed  at  its  disposal.  "In  a  city  of  2,000,000  there  must  be 
many  women  above  the  poorhouse  and  the  police  station  oc- 
cupant, who  find  themselves  temporarily  stranded.  It  is  for  this 
class  the  Model  Lodging  House,  253  Ewing  street,  was  founded." 
The  same  club  of  women  who  united  for  the  emergency  work 
of  1893-94  were  represented  in  the  organization  of  the  Lodging 
House.  Permission  was  given  to  Mrs.  George  W.  Higginson 
to  exhibit  in  the  ante-room  of  the  Club,  a  piece  of  tapestry 
embroidered  by  her,  the  proceeds  to  go  to  the  Model  Lodging 
House. 

Sixteen  years  later  Mrs.  Louise  D.  Sherman  writes  of  the 
work  of  that  winter:  "Many  thousands  of  dollars  were  given 
without  solicitation  to  be  paid  in  wages.  It  was  a  wonderful 
work.  The  great  point  is  that  the  Woman's  Club,  with  its 
splendid  organization,  could  take  up  such  a  work  immediately 
and  without  fuss  or  friction  carry  it  on  to  such  a  glorious  ful- 
fillment. Each  department  in  turn  assumed  responsibility,  every- 
thing went  like  clock-work.  I  consider  it  a  glorious  achieve- 
ment for  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club." 

During  1892,  after  the  reading  of  the  paper  on  "The  New 
Preaching  of  the  Gospel  of  Charity,"  and  its  discussion,  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  by  the  Club  to  take  measures  at  once, 
toward  the  reorganization  of  the  associated  charities  in  Chicago. 
The  committee  consisted  of  the  Chairmen  of  Departments  and 
the  President.  A  Joint  Committee  was  formed  consisting  of  ten 
members  of  the  Club  and  ten  men.  This  committee  held  a  num- 


124  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ber  of  meetings.  The  desired  co-operation  was  not  effected  at 
that  time  but  gradually  the  spirit  spread.  The  Club  con- 
tributed $40.00  for  the  printing  and  sending  out  of  circular  let- 
ters by  the  committee. 

May  18,  1892,  a  class  was  announced  to  be  conducted  by 
Miss  Halsted  of  the  Philosophy  and  Science  Department  for 
the  "Investigation  of  Property  Rights  and  their  Influence  on 
the  Social  Status  of  Women."  On  May  17,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  arrange  for  a  class  in  the  study  of  parliamentary 
law,  with  Mrs.  Julia  R.  Shattuck  as  the  leader.  The  work  of 
standing  committees  never  flagged.  At  the  annual  meeting  the 
Chairman  of  the  Reform  Department  reported  the  continuance 
of  visiting  at  the  Insane  Hospital  at  Dunning.  The  Chairman  of 
the  Home  Department  reported  its  plan  to  join  with  Mrs.  Kelley 
of  Hull  House  in  establishing  a  bureau  of  Women's  Labor,  also 
its  intention  to  work  on  the  Municipal  Order  Committee  and  the 
Columbian  Housekeepers'  Association.  The  Art  and  Literature 
Department  held  a  memorial  meeting  during  the  year  for  James 
Russell  Lowell.  The  program  for  the  social  meeting  in  Novem- 
ber, 1891,  was  as  follows:  A  fifteen  minute  paper  by  Dr. 
Stevenson  answering  Mrs.  Lynn  Linton's  paper  on  "Wild 
Women" ;  music  by  a  quartette ;  supper,  and  dancing  at  10 
o'clock.  This  was  the  only  ball  ever  given  by  the  Club,  and 
husbands  and  children  of  the  members  were  invited.  This  oc- 
curred during  Mrs.  Harvey's  presidency. 

In  the  President's  address  of  1892,  Mrs.  Julia  P.  Harvey 
states:  "I  want  to  recommend  the  luncheons  as  a  good  begin- 
ning for  the  business  meetings  of  the  Departments.  Anything 
that  will  insure  an  interest  should  be  fostered  and  encouraged. 
In  the  coming  year  I  would  suggest  that  the  Directors  repre- 
senting each  Department  constitute  a  committee  of  three  to  plan 
the  work — thus  somewhat  relieving  the  Chairman.  I  hope  for 
much  good  from  the  new  arrangement  of  monthly  reports  from 
Departments  to  tl^e  Board.  When  the  Philanthropy  Committee 
works  seven  years  to  get  a  green  baize  door  in  the  jail,  it  is 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  125 

good  work,  because  it  is  persistent  and  consecutive.    I  hail  with 
delight  the  creation  of  a  membership  committee." 

June  1,  1892,  the  Education  Department  formed  a  special 
committee  on  compulsory  education,  to  act  with  the  Philanthropy 
Department  The  interests  of  the  Club  in  securing  women  mem- 
bers to  the  School  Board  never  abated  and  in  June,  1893,  a  num- 
ber of  names  was  again  recommended  to  the  Mayor  for  ap- 
pointment. 

Oct.  5,  1892,  the  Home  Department  announced  that  it 
would  devote  its  energies  to  the  promotion  of  domestic  science 
and  to  the  work  of  the  Society  for  the  Promotion  of  Physical 
Culture  and  Correct  Dress.  There  was  a  full  discussion  as  to 
the  advisability  of  a  school  or  a  place  for  classes  in  the  training 
for  domestic  service.  November  2,  the  Columbian  Housekeepers' 
Association,  one  of  the  activities  under  the  auspices  of  the  Club, 
reported  that  an  Emergency  Employment  Bureau  had  been  es- 
tablished at  87  Washington  street,  in  behalf  of  which  the  co- 
operation of  every  one  present  was  urged,  feeling  confident  that 
the  Bureau  would  prove  of  great  practical  value  towards  solving 
some  of  the  domestic  problems,  and  lightening  the  burdens  of 
the  perplexed  housekeeper. 

Dec.  14,  1892,  the  chairman  of  the  Art  and  Literature  De- 
partment stated  that  the  members  of  the  Department  thought 
it  desirable  to  give  a  reception  to  artists  of  note  now  in  the 
city,  all  prominent  artists  and  officers  of  art  societies  to  be 
invited. 

During  the  Club  year  of  1891-92,  the  new  work  of  the  Re- 
form Department  was  that  connected  with  the  school  in  the  jail. 
Mrs.  Perry  H.  Smith  appealed  to  the  women  to  establish  a 
manual  training  school  for  delinquent  and  neglected  boys.  She 
also  recommended  a  juvenile  court  that  these  boys  might  be 
saved  from  the  contamination  of  association  with  older  criminals. 
A  manual  training  school  was  needed,  but  friends  for  the  boys 
were  needed  more.  On  February  6,  1893,  she  expressed  the 
hope  that  in  the  near  future  something  might  be  done  for  the 
permanent  good  of  the  boys  discharged  from  the  jail  school, 


126  ANNALS  OF  THE 

many  of  whom  are  reclaimable,  in  the  estimation  of  those  who 
are  working  with  and  for  them.  She  spoke  of  the  difficulties  en- 
countered by  the  Committee  in  helping  boys  who  had  been  in 
jail,  often  for  petty  offenses;  various  organizations  had  been 
appealed  to. 

March  22,  1893,  Dr.  Alexander  read  a  paper  on  legislation 
for  the  insane.  The  Club  endorsed  the  two  bills  on  the  subject, 
recommended  by  Dr.  Alexander.  Dr.  Stevenson  said  the  insane 
should  be  taken  from  the  poorhouses,  and  the  trial  of  insane 
patients  by  jury  should  be  abolished. 

January  18,  1893,  Mrs.  Putnam  read  a  copy  of  a  bill  author- 
izing school  districts  to  establish  and  maintain  free  kinder- 
gartens. March  8,  1893,  Mrs.  Flower  read  a  petition  to  the 
Legislature,  which  had  been  signed  by  various  organizations, 
asking  for  a  compulsory  education  law.  She  asked  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  Club  to  sign  for  the  Club.  On  March  15,  it  was 
voted  that  Mrs.  Flower  have  the  endorsement  of  the  Club  in 
going  to  Springfield  in  the  interests  of  the  compulsory  educa- 
tion bill. 

Feb.  15,  1893,  Mrs.  Flower  referred  to  a  bill  to  regulate  the 
employment  of  women  and  children  in  manufacturing  establish- 
ments, factories  and  workshops,  and  to  provide  for  the  appoint- 
ment of  inspectors  to  enforce  it.  The  bill  was  read,  endorsed 
by  the  Club,  and  delegates  sent  to  Springfield  to  work  in  its 
interests.  In  May  1893,  the  Reform  Department  reported  co- 
operating in  securing  a  central  police  station,  that  should  be  used 
exclusively  for  women  and  children. 

The  Recording  Secretary  gave  the  following  items  in  her 
annual  report  May  27,  1893 : 

"The  appropriation  by  the  City  Council  of  $80,000  for  a 
Manual  Training  School  for  boys  and  $12,000  for  public  baths 
we  must  believe  but  for  the  much  importuning  of  our  women, 
would  not  have  been  made.  A  school  for  boys  in  the  jail  has 
been  supported  by  one  of  our  Committees  and  through  the  in- 
terest awakened  by  this  work,  contributions  have  been  secured 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  127 

for  establishing  a  manual  training  school  for  boys  as  they  leave 
jail. 

A  fitting  memorial  to  one  of  our  gifted  members,  Ellen 
Bastin,  is  a  yearly  prize  of  $100.00  to  the  young  woman  at  the 
University  of  Chicago  who  shall  give  the  best  thesis  on  natural 
science. 

Various  bills  have  been  presented  to  our  Legislature,  in 
four  of  which  the  Club  took  a  special  interest,  viz:  the  Com- 
pulsory Education  bill,  a  Kindergarten  bill,  Township  Suffrage 
bill  and  Legislation  for  the  Insane. 

When  we  think  of  the  many  interests  represented  by  this 
Club,  the  various  works  the  members  are  pledged  to,  and  the 
diversity  of  talent  brought  to  this  work,  we  must  regard  it  as 
a  great  harmonizing  power." 

Mrs.  Edith  C.  Hancock  writes  in  retrospect  of  this  period 
under  the  date  of  January,  1911,  as  follows: 

"In  the  year  1892,  the  Reform  Department  assumed  the 
responsibility  of  what  was  called  the  Jail  School,  paying  the 
salary  of  the  teacher  Miss  Florence  Haythorn  (now  Mrs. 
Charles  Jewell),  a  member  of  the  department.  The  Sheriff 
allowed  her  the  privilege  of  teaching  the  boys  in  the  corridor 
of  the  jail  from  9:30  until  11:30  A.  M.  The  attendance  of 
boys  varied  from  fifteen  to  fifty,  the  ages  from  ten  to  sixteen 
years.  At  this  time  boys  were  kept  in  jail  for  months  awaiting 
trial.  The  interest  taken  by  the  Women's  Club  began  soon  to 
have  its  effect.  The  boys  were  separated  from  the  older  prison- 
ers. The  cells  and  corridors  were  kept  in  cleaner  condition. 
Miss  Haythorn  also  did  the  work  of  a  probation  officer,  going 
into  court  with  the  boys  and  also  visiting  their  homes.  The 
County  Board  approved  of  the  work  accomplished  and  after 
a  number  of  years  of  approval  decided  that  the  County  should 
pay  the  teacher's  salary.  Of  that  first  Jail  School  Committee 
I  recall  the  names  of  Mrs.  Perry  H.  Smith,  Mrs.  A.  A.  Car- 
penter and  Miss  Mary  Tenney.  Other  women  became  members 
of  this  Committee  in  later  years  but  their  work  was  compara- 
tively easy,  for  through  the  efforts  of  Lucy  L.  Flower,  a  mem- 


128  ANNALS  OF  THE 

her  of  the  Reform   Department,   the  Juvenile  Court  was   es- 
established." 

May  27,  1893,  Miss  Jane  Addams,  as  Chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee to  consider  the  advisability  of  forming  a  Consumer's 
League,  submitted  the  following  report :  "I.  It  is  the  sentiment 
of  the  committee  that  owing  to  the  unusual  demand  upon  the 
women  of  Chicago,  for  the  next  six  months,  action  on  a  matter 
requiring  so  much  time  and  careful  consideration  be  deferred 
until  next  fall.  II.  The  committee  recommends  that  this  work 
be  initiated  through  the  Departments  of  Reform,  Home  and 
Philanthropy.  III.  The  committee  wishes  to  express  the  opin- 
ion that  the  formation  of  a  Consumer's  League  for  Chicago 
would  be  both  advisable  and  feasible."  The  organization  of  the 
League  was  completed  and  in  March,  1894,  Miss  Addams  re- 
ported that  interesting  meetings  had  been  held,  assisted  by  the 
Inter-Collegiate  Alumnae  Association.  A  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  report  progress  on  goods  made  in  tenement  houses 
and  the  old  committee  was  discharged. 

May  3,  1893,  a  memorial  meeting  was  held.  In  introducing 
the  subject  of  the  day,  the  President  said  that  this  should  be  a 
day  not  of  mourning,  but  of  rejoicing — a  day  to  be  looked  for- 
ward to  as  the  most  beautiful  in  the  calendar.  She  referred  to 
a  dying  friend  who  said  to  her,  "when  I  am  at  rest,  do  not  say 
'she  was,  but  she  is.' "  Mrs.  Woolley  delivered  the  memorial 
address,  taking  for  a  text  the  words  of  Cicero,  "Whatever  is  so 
universal  as  death  cannot  be  bad." 

Nov.  1,  1893,  the  Chair  spoke  of  the  sorrow  that  had  come 
to  our  city  in  the  assassination  of  Mayor  Harrison,  and  on 
motion  it  was  voted:  "That  representatives  of  the  Club  on 
the  Board  of  Education,  together  with  the  President  of  the 
Club,  constitute  a  committee  to  present  such  expression  of  the 
sympathy  of  the  Club  as  in  their  judgment  seems  most  appro- 
priate. Mrs.  Flower  and  Mrs.  Caroline  K.  Sherman  were  ap- 
pointed to  represent  the  Club  at  the  funeral  of  Mayor 
Harrison." 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  129 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  1893,  the  Philanthropy  Depart- 
ment reported  one  thousand  copies  printed  of  the  directories  of 
charitable  institutions,  published  by  the  department  in  the  fall 
of  1891,  compiled  by  Dr.  Rosa  Engleman.  These  contained 
names,  addresses  and  special  work  of  the  charitable  institutions 
of  Chicago,  designed  to  assist  those  who  might  be  called  upon 
to  direct  persons  in  need  of  hospitals,  home  or  societies.  A 
suggestion  was  made  that  a  hospital  for  contagious  diseases  be 
opened.  In  1893,  a  public  meeting  was  held  and  money  raised 
for  this  purpose. 

May  27,  1893,  Mrs.  Charlotte  Emerson  Brown  sent  a 
request  that  a  synopsis  of  Mrs.  Bradwell's  paper  on  Civil 
Service  Reform,  read  May  17,  including  the  discussion  which 
followed,  be  furnished  for  publication  in  the  "Cycle."  The 
Secretary  was  asked  to  comply  with  this  request. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  1893,  it  was  stated  that  a 
notable  meeting  of  the  year  was  that  at  which  President  Harper 
of  the  Chicago  University  addressed  the  Club  on  "The  Relation 
of  Women  to  the  University."  Club  women  from  many 
different  states  took  part  in  the  discussion.  A  committee  was 
appointed  with  power  to  add  to  its  numbers  from  outside  the 
Club  to  raise  money  for  dormitories  for  women  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Chicago.  In  writing  of  the  work  of  the  women's  build- 
ings committee  in  1916,  Miss  Dingee  makes  the  following  state- 
ment: "The  position  of  women  was  less  assured  in  1892 
than  now,  and  there  was  much  question  as  to  their  status 
in  the  new  institution.  Dr.  Harper  made  many  addresses 
in  various  places  in  the  city,  and  was  invited  by  the 
Education  Department  to  speak  before  the  Woman's  Club. 
Owing  to  illness  he  was  unable  to  appear  at  the  date 
set,  but  a  later  time  was  arranged  for  him  in  May,  1892.  By 
this  time  many  women  were  interested  in  the  movement,  and  it 
was  planned  that  some  definite  action  should  result  from  his 
address  to  the  Club,  on  the  subject,  'What  Does  the  University 
Offer  to  Women  ?'  A  committee  was  created  to  raise  money  for 
buildings  for  women  students  at  the  University  of  Chicago  with 


130  ANNALS  OF  THE 

myself  as  chairman.  At  our  first  meeting  we  enlarged  the  com- 
mittee by  inviting  many  prominent  women  to  join  us,  and  set  to 
work  to  raise  money.  Our  work  was  ended  the  following  fall, 
and  our  accomplishment  was  Nancy  Foster  Hall,  Kelly  Hall, 
Beecher  Hall,  and  $10,000.00  in  small  sums  that  went  into  Green 
Hall.  Nancy  Foster  Hall  was  our  first  success,  and  Mrs.  George 
E.  Adams  announced  that  her  mother,  Mrs.  Foster,  would  give 
$50,000.00  for  a  dormitory  for  women ;  Mrs.  Jerome  Beecher 
walked  into  the  University  office  one  day,  and  said  she  wished 
to  give  $50,000.00  for  a  similar  building,  and  asked  that  it  be 
credited  to  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  committee  of  which  she 
had  heard.  The  other  gifts  were  in  comparatively  small  sums, 
with  the  exception  of  that  of  Mrs.  Sumner  Ellis  which  was 
$1,000.00.  Mrs.  Foster  soon  increased  hers  to  $60,000.00  which 
was  made  still  larger  in  later  years.  Up  to  the  time  our  com- 
mittee disbanded,  $170,000.00  had  been  raised.  Our  committee 
made  suggestions  to  Dr.  Harper  and  to  the  architect,  Mr.  Cobb, 
and  with  the  warm  approval  of  Mrs.  Alice  Freeman  Palmer, 
many  of  them  were  incorporated  in  the  plans  for  the  buildings, 
the  prairie  sod  being  still  unbroken.  These  women's  halls  still 
remain  the  most  attractive  living  quarters  on  the  campus,  and 
have  made  possible  a  pleasant  and  dignified  home  life  for  women 
students  for  which  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  is  largely 
responsible." 

The  first  Committee  on  Legislation  was  appointed  January 
4,  1893,  and  consisted  of  the  following  members:  Dr.  Sarah 
Hackett  Stevenson,  Caroline  A.  Clowry,  Mary  H.  Thomas,  Dr. 
Julia  R.  Low,  Ada  C.  Sweet,  Julia  P.  Harvey,  Lucy  L.  Flower, 
Charlotte  C.  Holt,  Rhoda  M.  Coffin,  Ellen  Potter,  Mary  E.  Lewis. 
Agnes  E.  Sterling,  Anna  E.  Smythe,  Mary  E.  Haworth,  Mary  H. 
Krout.  The  Membership  Committee  made  its  first  report  to  the 
Board  February  8,  1893,  submitting  five  names.  It  also  asked  to 
have  the  following  questions  discussed  at  a  fourth  Wednesday 
meeting:  Shall  the  Club  Membership  be  limited?  If  limited,  to 
what  number  and  by  what  method?  How  shall  we  make  our 
Club  meetings  most  useful  and  attractive?  In  1893,  the  Club  had 
a  membership  of  six  hundred. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  131 

At  the  annual  meeting  by-laws  were  passed  as  follows: 
"No  member  may  propose  a  candidate  until  she  has  been  a 
member  of  this  Club  three  years."  And  "no  member  may 
propose  more  than  one  candidate  a  year  and  must  have  per- 
sonal acquaintance  with  said  candidate."  "A  business  meeting 
of  the  Club  shall  be  held  on  the  4th  Wednesday  of  each  month 
for  the  transaction  of  the  general  business  of  the  Club ;  also, 
for  such  business  as  may  be  recommended  by  the  different 
departments."  This  has  been  the  rule  of  the  Club  ever  since, 
and  has  been  productive  of  results  affecting  favorably  our  civic 
life  in  many  directions. 

The  Recording  Secretary  reported  on  May  27,  1893,  as 
follows :  "Several  committees  have  been  formed  during  the  year. 
Among  them,  one  on  Legislation ;  one  on  forming  a  Consumers' 
League,  which  shall  look  to  the  protection  of  our  homes  against 
disease;  one  having  for  its  object  the  protection  of  young  girls 
coming  to  the  Fair — this  committee  has  asked  for  and  will  re- 
ceive from  each  of  the  six  Departments  $100 — the  money  to  be 
used  through  the  Protective  Agency.  The  necessity  of  larger 
representation  on  the  School  Board  has  been  kept  continually 
before  the  Club,  and  the  work  is  in  the  hands  of  a  general  com- 
mittee. The  School  Children's  Aid  Society  should  be  mentioned, 
a  small  part  of  whose  work  has  been  the  clothing  of  1,500 
children  during  the  past  winter." 

February  8,  1893,  Ellen  Gates  Starr  told  briefly  of 
the  work  done  by  Mr.  Horsfall  in  England  in  introducing 
pictures  into  the  public  schools  and  gave  an  account  of  her  own 
work  in  the  same  direction.  The  Art  and  Literature  Depart- 
ment was  urged  to  take  up  the  work,  and  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  investigate  and  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Department.  This  committee  reported  a  visit  to  the  Polk  Street 
school  and  was  thoroughly  impressed  with  the  value  of  the 
work  being  done  and  recommended  that  the  members  help  Miss 
Starr  with  contributions  of  pictures  and  money.  March  22, 
1893,  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  voted  to  assist  in  plac- 
ing works  of  art  in  the  public  schools  and  ordered  the  plan  for 


132  ANNALS  OF  THE 

this  work  to  be  printed  in  the  calendar.  October  4,  1893,  it 
was  again  decided  to  continue  the  placing  of  works  of  art  in 
the  public  schools  as  the  active  work  of  the  department,  begin- 
ning with  the  Jones  School.  In  January,  1894,  each  member  was 
asked  to  give  a  sum  for  this  purpose  and  in  April  the  committee 
reported  that  $79.00  had  been  collected,  part  of  which  had  been 
spent  for  pictures  of  birds  and  flowers  to  be  hung  in  the  Jones 
School.  It  was  also  reported  that  the  Education  Department 
would  co-operate  in  the  work.  The  first  annual  meeting  of  the 
Chicago  Public  School  Art  Society  was  held  October  23,  1894. 
This  was  the  successful  outgrowth  of  one  of  the  activities  of 
the  Art  and  Literature  Department.  "Modern  Art"  was  studied 
during  fourteen  morning  meetings  in  1892-1893.  "The  Ren- 
aissance" was  the  study  chosen  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs. 
Mary  K.  Bartlett,  for  1893-1894. 

June  17,  1893,  the  President  referred  to  the  recent  passage 
of  the  new  sweating  law ;  the  Board  endorsed  the  recommenda- 
tion of  Miss  Florence  Kelley  of  Hull  House,  as  inspector  under 
said  law,  and  the  Corresponding  Secretary  was  asked  to  inform 
Governor  Altgeld  of  this  action.  September  27,  1893,  a  com- 
munication was  read  from  Miss  Ada  Sweet  recommending  Dr. 
H.  W.  Gentles  of  Glasgow,  Scotland,  Superintendent  of  the 
Ambulance  Exhibit  of  the  World's  Fair,  to  the  Board.  Dr. 
Gentles  represented  also  the  Society  of  First  Aid  to  the  Injured. 
Previous  to  the  meeting  Dr.  Gentles  stated  the  objects  of  his 
society  and  requested  the  co-operation  of  the  Women's  Club  in 
presenting  it  to  the  public.  A  committee  was  appointed  consisting 
of  Dr.  Stevenson  and  the  secretaries  to  make  arrangements  for 
a  public  meeting.  The  call  for  the  meeting  was  sent  out  in  the 
name  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Women's  Club,  taking 
place  Sunday  evening,  November  5.  As  a  result  of  this  publi- 
city, classes  were  formed,  and  a  Society  for  First  Aid  to  the 
Injured  was  organized. 

November  22,  1893,  the  President  spoke  of  the  possibility 
of  extending  our  influence  yet  farther  by  means  of  union  with 
other  city  and  surburban  clubs  in  public  meetings  where  out- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  133 

siders  could  be  invited,  such  meetings  to  occur  from  two  to 
three  times  a  year,  taking  the  form  of  a  symposium  where  all 
clubs  participated.  It  was  voted:  That  this  Club  hold  a  sym- 
posium of  women's  clubs  of  Chicago  and  suburbs,  to  which 
outsiders  may  be  invited.  January  17,  1894,  the  President  spoke 
regarding  the  proposed  federation  of  women's  clubs  in  Cook 
County.  It  was  voted  to  consider  the  federation  of  women's 
clubs  of  Cook  County  at  the  fourth  Wednesday  meeting,  which 
took  place  January  24,  1894. 

On  February  21,  1894,  a  symposium  was  held  upon  "What 
has  the  World's  Fair  done  for  us?"  Papers  were  presented  by 
representatives  from  each  department,  ably  setting  forth  the 
many  advantages  accruing  to  us  by  the  fortuitous  conditions  for 
education  and  culture  which  were  then  so  marvelously  revealed. 
Four  years  later  Mrs.  Lucretia  J.  Tilton  presented  the  Club 
with  a  series  of  World's  Fair  pictures  which  are  now  in  the 
Club  dining-rooms. 

April  23,  1894,  was  selected  as  the  date  for  a  symposium  to 
be  held  in  Central  Music  Hall.  There  were  two  sessions,  after- 
noon and  evening,  in  which  twenty-three  different  clubs  partici- 
pated. The  subject  of  the  discussion  was  the  "Relation  of 
Women  to  Modern  Industrial  Conditions."  May  9,  1894, 
Mrs.  Woolley  presented  to  the  Board  the  plan  of  forming  a 
political  equality  organization  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Women's  Club.  The  Board  recommended  that  it  be  brought 
before  the  Club  at  the  annual  meeting  for  action.  May  23, 
1894,  the  following  resolution  regarding  a  political  equality  or- 
ganization was  offered:  That  a  committee  of  fifteen  or  more 
be  appointed  by  the  Club  for  the  study  of  the  principles  of 
political  equality  with  power  to  form  a  separate  organization  in 
the  interests  of  the  same,  such  organization  when  formed  to 
make  itself  an  independent  society  as  soon  as  practicable  accord- 
ing to  the  general  usage  and  policy  of  the  Club.  The  following 
committee  was  appointed :  Mrs.  Woolley,  Chairman ;  Mesdames 
Bundy,  Dr.  Stevenson,  Dr.  Smith,  Fessenden,  Butler,  Huddles- 
ton,  Holt,  E.  J.  Parker,  F.  S.  Parker,  Effinger,  W.  O.  Carpenter, 


134  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Ball,  Plummer,  Bartlett,  McCulloch,  Dr.  Low,  Remick,  F.  A. 
Smith,  Wilkinson,  Henrotin,  Wilmarth  and  Misses  Hedenberg 
and  Martin.  On  October  24,  1894,  Mrs.  Woolley,  Chairman  of  the 
Political  Equality  League,  reported  the  organization  as  formed, 
the  League  to  be  governed  by  a  board  of  sixty-one  directors. 
Officers  as jfollows :  President,  Mrs.  Celia  P.  Woolley ;  first  Vice- 
President,  Dr.  Stevenson;  second  Vice-President,  Mrs.  Marie 
Remick ;  Recording  Secretary,  Mrs.  J.  ].  Parker ;  Corresponding 
Secretary,  Miss  C.  Hedenberg;  Treasurer,  Mrs.  Bundy.  The 
constitution  provided  that  no  one  shall  hold  office  in  the  League, 
prior  to  Dec.,  1895,  who  is  not  a  member  of  the  Women's  Club, 
and  thereafter  no  one  shall  hold  office  who  has  not  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  League  one  year.  The  use  of  the  club  rooms  was 
granted  to  the  new  organization,  both  for  regular  monthly  meet- 
ings, and  for  the  annual  meetings  until  May,  1912. 

On  June  6,  1894,  the  Board  voted  to  commence  the  work 
of  the  city  federation  as  soon  as  practicable,  the  Women's  Club 
taking  the  initiative. 

The  use  of  the  rooms  was  granted  for  three  evenings  during 
the  winter  for  receptions  to  be  given  by  the  Art  and  Literature 
Department.  A  reception  had  already  been  given  the  previous 
February  to  women  artists  and  to  the  young  women  who  held 
the  Art  Institute  scholarship. 

Dr.  Stanley  G.  Hall  spoke  on  Scientific  Study  of  Child  Life 
at  the  Club  rooms  Saturday,  December  30,  1893,  and  urged 
the  establishment  of  a  branch  of  this  society  in  Chicago.  Charles 
Zueblin  addressed  the  Club  on  Industrial  Co-operation  January 
4,  1894,  Frank  B.  Sanborn  lectured  before  the  Club  Wednesday, 
January  16,  1895,  on  "Recent  Discoveries  in  Buried  Cities."  For 
the  celebration  of  Founders'  Day,  February  20,  1895,  Mrs.  Caro- 
line M.  Brown  was  invited  to  attend  as  guest  of  honor. 

From  the  records  of  the  business  meeting  of  November  22, 
1893,  the  following  items  are  taken:  The  Education  Depart- 
ment reported  that  there  were  now  sixteen  kindergartens  in  the 
public  schools  of  this  city,  thirteen  of  which  are  supported  by 
the  Board  of  Education,  and  one  afternoon  kindergarten  in  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  135 

twenty-second  school  district  maintained  by  a  member  of  the 
Department.  The  committee  for  distributing  reading  matter  to 
county  institutions  reported  two  boxes  delivered  and  need  for 
more.  The  Reform  Department  stated  that  the  number  of  boys 
in  the  jail  school  during  the  month  of  October,  1893,  was  59. 
Mrs.  Mann,  of  the  Home  Department,  reported  the  election  of 
officers  of  the  National  Columbian  Household  Economic  As- 
sociation: Mrs.  Potter  Palmer,  Honorary  President;  Mrs. 
John  Wilkinson,  Acting  President ;  Mrs.  Charles  Henrotin,  Vice- 
President;  Mrs.  Robert  Wiles,  Corresponding  Secretary;  Mrs. 
W.  E.  Furness,  Recording  Secretary;  Mrs.  F.  E.  Owen, 
Treasurer. 

Charlotte  C.  Holt  had  asked  for  an  advisory  committee 
with  Mrs.  Flower  as  chairman  to  assist  her  in  the  study  of  laws 
governing  children  and  in  the  preparation  of  laws  necessary  to 
secure  justice  for  them,  such  laws  to  be  presented  at  the  next 
meeting  of  the  state  legislature.  April  25,  1894,  Mrs.  Holt  re- 
ported that  she  was  ready  to  present  such  laws  at  the  next  meet- 
ing of  the  state  legislature.  She  also  urged  the  necessity  of  a 
police  station  to  be  used  exclusively  for  women,  where  they 
might  be  properly  protected.  The  Reform  Department  there- 
upon agreed  to  take  this  as  its  work  for  the  coming  year. 
The  inadequate  provisions  for  women  in  the  jail  were  again  re- 
ported, and  the  necessity  of  new  bailing  laws  was  urged.  The 
Board  of  Managers  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  on  January 
10,  1894,  endorsed  the  resolution  of  the  Reform  Department  in 
regard  to  the  appointment  of  Alice  Asbury  Abbott  as  a  visitor 
of  county  institutions  to  report  to  the  State  Board  of  Charities 
for  Cook  County.  March  28,  1894,  Mrs.  Flower  and  Mrs. 
Alexander  were  appointed  a  committee  to  devise  means  for 
securing  a  medical  superintendent  at  the  Detention  Hospital. 

April  25,  1894,  the  following  resolution  was  presented : 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Philosophy  and 
Science  Department  of  the  Women's  Club  that  one  of  the  trus- 
tees of  the  State  University  to  be  elected  next  November  should 
be  a  woman  and  that  the  club  be  asked  to  endorse  this  opinion 


136  ANNALS  OF  THE 

and  use  its  influence  to  bring  about  the  nomination  and  election 
of  a  woman  as  such  trustee. 

It  was  voted  that  the  resolution  be  adopted  and  that  the 
Board  be  instructed  to  take  such  steps  as  it  deemed  best  to  se- 
cure the  nomination  and  election  in  November  of  a  woman  as 
trustee  of  the  State  University. 

May  9,  1894,  the  Board  of  Managers  suspended  the  usual 
order  of  business  to  hear  Mrs.  McCulloch,  who  came  before  the 
Board  to  ask  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  attend  the 
meeting  of  the  County  Convention,  to  represent  the  desire  of 
the  Women's  Club  regarding  the  appointment  of  a  woman  as 
trustee  of  the  State  University.  A  committee  of  three  was  ap- 
pointed with  power  to  add  to  its  members,  to  attend  the  meet- 
ing and  present  the  request  of  the  Club.  The  committee  con- 
sisted of  Mrs.  McCulloch  as  chairman,  Dr.  Julia  R.  Low  and 
Mrs.  Ella  Flagg  Young.  May  23,  1894,  the  board  was  asked  to 
recommend  three  or  four  persons  for  a  committee  of  fifty  to  be 
present  at  the  convention  and  to  be  prepared  to  make  addresses. 

From  the  address  of  the  president,  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Stev- 
enson, read  May  19,  1894,  the  following  is  taken: 

"Knowing  the  power  which  this  Club  represents  by  virtue 
of  its  virtues,  many  who  have  a  cause  to  promote  are  looking 
to  this  Club  as  a  means  to  promotion.  It  is  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance that  these  various  causes  should  be  received  with  much 
deliberation,  in  order  that  the  good  name  of  the  Club  shall  not 
suffer  by  reason  of  injudicious  action.  To  this  end  it  seems  de- 
sirable that  all  so-called  outside  work  shall  be  presented  by  the 
department  or  departments  to  which  it  is  most  closely  allied, 
and  that  one  day  every  month,  viz.,  the  fourth  Wednesday 
shall  be  given  to  business.  While  such  a  day  was  on  our  calen- 
dar, the  constitution  did  not  distinctly  declare  that  business 
could  not  be  done  on  any  other  club  day.  Accordingly  an 
amendment  was  passed  relegating  all  business  to  the  fourth 
Wednesday,  excepting  in  emergencies,  when  the  established 
parliamentary  privilege  of  a  two-thirds  vote  can  always  claim 
a  special  order.  This  business  day  is  a  true  evolution  which 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  137 

few  clubs  have  attained.  It  was  born  of  our  necessities,  viz. : 
The  great  increase  of  our  business,  and  the  great  popularity 
which  we  have  achieved.  Another  advantage  may  be  noted. 
By  referring  all  questions  to  the  departments  to  which  they 
are  most  closely  allied,  we  are  spared  the  affliction  of  so  many 
special  committees.  Special  committees  are  necessary  to  club 
work,  but  they  are  responsible  to  the  chairman  of  the  depart- 
ment, who  is  in  turn  responsible  to  the  Club.  This  simplifies 
the  machinery  and  unifies  the  work.  I  have  been  glad  to  note 
all  through  the  years  that  when  one  Department  needed  the  serv- 
ice of  another  Department,  that  service  was  asked  for  and 
extended,  without  complaint  or  rivalry — just  as  it  should  be — 
the  members  generally  feeling  that  they  are  first  members  of 
the  Club,  and  that  the  Departments  are  merely  divisions  of  labor, 
and  can  never  be  in  any  sense  a  menace  to  each  other  or  to  the 
Club. 

Your  own  experience  will  bear  me  out  in  the  statement 
that  the  year  1893  was  a  most  trying  one,  perhaps  more  so  than 
any  previous  year.  We  tested  the  formula,  two  moves  are 
equal  to  a  fire,  and  found  it  correct,  so  far  as  discomfort  is 
concerned.  However,  our  courage  did  not  move  away  or  burn 
up,  and  the  trials  and  tribulations  experienced  in  boarding 
around  will  make  us  appreciate  all  the  more  our  beautiful 
home  when  we  get  it.  Owing  to  the  Exposition  in  1893,  and 
the  panic  in  1894,  there  has  been  no  period  during  the  past 
two  years  when  we  could  have  found  either  the  time  or  the 
money  necessary  to  erect  a  club  building.  As  the  Club  cannot 
form  itself  into  a  stock  company,  it  would  still  be  obliged  to 
pay  rent  to  the  owners  of  the  building,  be  they  club  members  or 
not.  It  is  a  question  whether  the  same  money  required  to  build 
and  operate  an  expensive  club  house  could  not  be  better  ex- 
pended in  club  work — leaving  to  real  estate  dealers  and  land- 
lords the  details  and  perplexities  which  such  an  enterprise  in- 
volves. However,  there  is  a  sufficient  number  of  business 
women  in  our  club  to  build  a  club  house  whenever  that  number 
decides  it  worth  while  to  build.  Although  homeless  we  have 
been  hospitable. 


138  ANNALS  OF  THE 

During  the  World's  Fair  there  was  an  unnaturalness  in  the 
air,  comparable  to  a  commencement  day  and  the  day  after,  pro- 
longed for  six  months.  How  we  struggled  with  that  vague 
question:  'How  shall  the  Women's  Club  be  represented  at 
the  Fair?'  Should  we  stand  our  presidents  up  in  a  row,  or 
should  we  represent  them  by  brass  nails  on  a  map  ?  Then  there 
was  the  genealogical  tree  idea,  with  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Brown 
for  the  root,  our  600  members  for  the  limbs,  the  Municipal 
Order  League,  the  Physical  Culture  Society,  the  Protective 
Agency,  etc.,  for  the  blossoms.  Fortunately  for  the  Fair,  this 
horticultural  display  was  abandoned.  It  was  decided  by  unani- 
mous vote  that  we  should  play  the  part  of  hostess,  and  this,  by 
means  of  our  cosy,  artistic  bit  of  space  in  the  Woman's  Build- 
ing, and  our  open  rooms  at  the  Athenaeum,  was  fulfilled  in  a 
manner  worthy  of  a  better  chance.  Qur  Organization  Room 
was  presided  over  by  our  six  Departments  respectively,  each 
taking  one  month's  service.  Among  the  names  of  the  3,000 
guests  registered  there,  no  autograph  is  more  precious  than  that 
of  Lucy  Stone.  Our  World's  Fair  calendar  is  especially  worthy 
of  mention.  It  will  become  more  and  more  precious  as  the  Fair 
and  its  participants  pass  from  view. 

Besides  our  regular  Wednesday  afternoon  tea  we  received 
the  Congress  of  Representative  Women,  the  Congress  of  Edu- 
cation, the  Literary  Congress,  Congress  of  Philosophy  and 
Science,  Public  Health  Congress,  and  one  reception  we  gave  in 
honor  of  Mrs.  Bertha  Honore  Palmer  and  Mrs.  Ellen  M.  Hen- 
rotin. 

The  work  of  our  Club  at  the  Fair  would  be  incomplete 
without  mentioning  the  practical  exhibit  of  the  work  of  women 
physicians,  pharmacists  and  nurses.  A  review  of  this  work 
emphasizes  the  necessity  that  existed  for  separate  exhibits  in 
certain  directions.  However  much  we  may  deprecate  it,  the  fact 
remains,  the  Woman's  Medical  Board  and  exhibit  were  necessary 
to  the  just  representation  of  woman's  work.  It  was  distinctly 
understood  and  repeatedly  promised  by  the  authorities  that  at 
least  three  women  physicians  would  be  placed  on  the  staff  of 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  139 

the  Medical  Bureau.  As  the  time  wore  on  and  no  places  were 
given  to  women,  the  chairmen  of  the  Medical  Congress,  Dr.  Julia 
Holmes  Smith,  Dr.  Marie  Reasner  and  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Steven- 
son, together  with  the  president  of  the  Illinois  Training  School 
for  Nurses,  Mrs.  Lucy  L.  Flower,  asked  the  Woman's  Board  of 
the  State  of  Illinois,  for  an  appropriation  of  money  for  a  hos- 
pital and  pharmaceutical  exhibit.  This  request  was  granted,  and 
a  suitable  building  was  made  ready  some  six  weeks  after  the 
opening  of  the  Fair.  Nevertheless  through  the  untiring  energy 
of  its  organizers,  the  women  physicians,  pharmacists  and  nurses 
of  the  entire  state  took  service  in  the  hospital,  and  took  charge 
of  more  than  3,000  patients.  Had  the  Medical  Bureau  recog- 
nized women  in  medicine  there  would  have  been  no  need  of  a 
separate  hospital,  and  we  could  have  carried  out  our  original 
idea  of  a  'still  exhibit/  representing  a  hospital  ward  in  the 
Woman's  Building.  But  for  the  timely  financial  aid  of  the 
women  of  the  the  Illinois  Board,  and  the  determined  energy 
of  a  handful  of  Women's  Club  women,  three  great  industries 
would  have  failed  of  a  representation. 

No  report  of  this  year's  administration  would  be  complete 
without  reference  to  our  emergency  work.  Never  can  I  forget 
the  noble  response  of  the  women  of  this  Club  to  the  call  made 
upon  them  to  help  the  helpless.  Individual  mention  would  be  out 
of  place,  but  to  the  Executive  Committee,  who  all  winter  long 
gave  their  daily  services,  and  to  the  committee  having  in  charge 
the  special  relief  fund,  I  owe  a  debt  of  gratitude  I  can  never 
repay.  The  chairman  of  each  Department  was  likewise  untir- 
ing in  her  devotion  to  this  work,  and  I  am  proud  and  happy  in 
the  thought  that  there  is  probably  not  a  single  member  of  this 
Club  who  has  not  directly  or  indirectly  helped  to  care  for  the 
suffering.  The  figures  to  be  remembered,  though  important, 
are  yet  a  small  part  of  the  results.  Nine  workrooms  were 
opened  throughout  the  winter,  from  which  3,092  families  were 
assisted.  The  average  number  to  a  family  being  five,  the  Wom- 
en's Club  Emergency  Association  gave  help  to  15,460  persons. 
The  amount  of  money  spent  by  the  association  was  nearly 
$20,000.  Quite  a  large  share  of  this  was  given  by  clubs  of  a 


140  ANNALS  OF  THE 

purely  literary  character.  *  *  *  The  points  to  which  I  wish 
to  call  your  attention  are,  first,  the  wage  system.  From  begin- 
ning to  end  we  held  to  the  idea  of  paying  wages  for  work  in- 
stead of  paying  'in  kind.'  Upon  this  idea  whole  volumes  on 
social  science  might  be  written.  Second,  the  value  of  co-opera- 
tion— the  federated  idea.  One  society  could  never  have  accom- 
plished the  work  of  these  forty  societies.  We  can  but  venture 
the  question:  If  the  women's  clubs  throughout  this  country 
were  to  unite  in  the  formation  of  a  co-operative  labor  bureau, 
would  it  not  prove  a  great  blessing  to  employers  and  employed  ? 
Third,  the  lack  of  adequate  training.  Many  of  these  unfortu- 
nates were  entirely  untrained.  They  could  not  take  household 
service,  for  they  were  ignorant  of  its  simplest  methods.  Thus 
is  emphasized  the  great  need  of  domestic  science  schools,  which 
shall  do  for  domestics  what  training  schools  have  done  for  nurses. 
Fourth,  the  value  of  personal  work  for  and  with  people  of 
different  social  status.  Every  woman  who  helped,  received  fully 
as  much  as  she  gave.  While  our  workrooms  are  closed,  we  are 
still  keeping  an  outstretched  hand  to  the  helpless,  and  almost 
every  day  some  woman  gets  a  position  or  some  other  assistance 
from  the.  Executive  Committee. 

A  word  concerning  the  organizations  that  have  had  their 
origin  in  the  club.  Dating  far  back  is  the  Physiological  Society, 
of  which  I  have  not  heard  this  past  year.  Possibly  its  place  is 
occupied  by  the  Physical  Culture  Society.  We  are  proud  of 
the  progress  of  this  society  and  the  record  it  made  at  the  World's 
Fair.  We  hope  it  will  endeavor  to  establish  a  central  gymna- 
sium for  women  and  children,  presided  over  by  women  physi- 
cians, and  thus  bring  about  the  physical  culture  so  much  needed. 
The  Protective  Agency  is  now,  and  has  been,  one  of  the  most 
useful  organizations  which  has  ever  been  organized  within  our 
club.  The  attempt  has  been  made  and  successfully  made,  to 
make  the  equitable  quality  of  law  a  reality.  *  *  *  The  last  or- 
ganization in  the  club  is  the  Society  for  First  Aid  to  the  In- 
jured. A  meeting  for  this  purpose  was  called  by  the  club  in 
the  early  autumn,  but  the  organization  was  not  completed  until 
this  spring  on  account  of  the  winter's  needs.  *  *  *  The 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  141 

School  Children's  Aid  Society,  from  the  committee  of  the  Edu- 
cational Department,  came  to  be  this  winter  a  great  power. 

It  should  not  be  forgotten  that,  through  the  work  of  the 
committee  appointed  by  this  club  in  May,  1892,  the  sum  of 
about  $200,000.00  was  raised  for  the  Chicago  University.  Three 
buildings  have  been  erected  for  women,  and  a  fourth  is  now 
under  way.  Likewise,  we  were  instrumental  in  helping  change 
the  law  for  commitment  of  the  insane,  through  our  representa- 
tive, Dr.  Alexander. 

The  late  meeting  in  Philadelphia  was  full  of  instruction  to 
those  who  are  willing  to  be  taught.  The  most  emphatic  fact 
taught  by  that  meeting  is  the  need  of  a  definite  object.  An 
organization  may  be  thoroughly  on  its  feet,  but  why  have  feet 
with  no  place  to  go?  The  federation  idea  is  full  of  possibilities, 
and  as  an  idea  it  belongs  to  our  own  Women's  Club.  Unless 
history  is  mistaken,  it  was  advanced  by  this  Club  in  the  season 
of  1877-78.  *  *  *  We  must  not  forget  the  fact  of  having 
adopted  club  colors  and  a  club  pin.  When  I  see  other  pins,  the 
esthetic  quality  of  our  own  is  emphasized — six  circles  in  one; 
let  them  never  be  broken. 


142  ANNALS  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  V. 

1894  TO  1900. 

The  annals  of  the  Club  from  1894  to  1900  give  an  account 
of  earnest  work  for  the  Juvenile  Court,  with  its  probation  offi- 
cers, the  School  Children's  Aid  Society,  Sunday  Open  Door,  Va- 
cation Schools,  beautification  of  Bellevue  Park,  and  other  ac- 
tivities. Several  of  these  interests  belonged  to  different  depart- 
ments as  special  work.  Toward  some  of  them,  all  of  the  depart- 
ments contributed  funds  and  service.  With  all  of  them  the  Club 
as  a  whole  was  in  hearty  sympathy  from  the  inception  to  the 
fulfillment,  convinced  that  they  were  important  contributions 
to  the  civic  life. 

The  Committee  on  New  Rooms  was  empowered  May  3, 
1894,  to  rent  space  in  the  building  at  the  corner  of  Washington 
street  and  Wabash  avenue,  called  the  French,  Potter  and  Wil- 
son Building,  at  a  rental  of  $4,000  per  year.  The  rooms  were 
ready  September  1,  1894,  the  lease  to  run  five  years. 

November  15,  1893,  the  chairman  of  the  School  Children's 
Aid  Society  reported  the  pressing  needs  of  her  department,  and 
stated  that  one  hundred  small  safes  had  been  made,  which  would 
be  placed  in  stores  in  the  centre  of  the  city  in  which  contribu- 
tions could  be  received.  It  was  proposed  to  put  them  in  place 
in  tjie  fall  and  remove  them  in  the  spring.  The  women  of 
the  Club  were  requested  February  7,  1894,  to  assist  the  School 
Children's  Aid  Society  in  putting  up  packages  for  distribution. 
February  21,  1894,  it  was  reported  that  a  benefit  had  netted  to 
the  society  $300.43.  The  Education  Department  stated  that 
the  School  Children's  Aid  had  distributed  shoes  and  clothing 
to  3,507  children  from  October  to  March.  The  Department  also 
stated  that  the  work  of  the  society  was  outgrowing  the  Depart- 
ment, and  it  desired  the  cooperation  of  the  other  departments  of 
the  Club.  $4,000  was  received  from  the  Thanksgiving  collection 
in  the  public  schools,  and  the  West  End  Club  had  responded  most 
generously  to  the  call  for  assistance,  having  agreed  to  care  for 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  143 

six  schools  at  an  outlay  of  $1,085.00.  The  Board  of  Education 
provided  them  with  a  distributing  room,  including  heat  and 
janitor  service,  and  the  delivering  of  all  the  clothing.  The  fifth 
year  of  the  School  Children's  Aid  Society  showed  31  distribu- 
ting days  in  the  18  weeks  of  service,  ending  March  31,  1894. 

On  May  19,  1894,  the  Education  Department  reported  as 
follows:  "The  School  Children's  Aid,  a  committee  called  into 
life  by  the  Compulsory  Education  Law,  when  it  was  first  en- 
forced, has  outgrown  its  parent  department;  that  the  children 
who  ought  to  go  to  school  should  be  comfortably  clothed,  no 
one  will  deny ;  that  the  same  women  who  started  the  work  have 
willingly  and  tirelessly  tried  to  help  the  destitute  children  of 
this  city  to  get  warm  and  decent  clothes.  Of  all  the  delicate  tasks, 
nothing  compares  with  the  difficulty  of  trying  to  help  the  children 
and  not 'injure  them.  The  Education  Department  believes  that 
for  two  reasons  it  is  not  wise  to  continue  this  work  in  the  Depart- 
ment alone.  First,  because  it  is  too  great  a  task  for  them  to  do 
well.  Second,  because  it  is  not  entirely  educational  work,  and 
while  we  do  continually  help  any  work  the  Club  decides  to  do  we 
want  to  keep  the  Department  work  along  educational  lines." 

The  Philanthropy  Department  requested  that  the  School  Chil- 
dren's Aid  Society  be  taken  as  the  general  work  of  the  Club, 
with  two  members  from  each  department  to  form  a  board  of 
directors,  the  officers  to  be  selected  from  this  board  and  the 
Club  to  have  general  supervision  of  the  work.  These  recom- 
mendations were  adopted  at  a  meeting  of  the  Club  held  May 
23,  1894;  Emily  C.  Dainty  was  made  chairman,  and  Hannah 
T.  Vollmer,  treasurer.  In  January,  1895,  Mrs.  Dainty  stated  that 
400  collection  globes  had  been  placed  at  a  cost  of  $772.00,  includ- 
ing the  purchase  of  patents. 

The  committee  recommended  that  the  Club  continue 
its  relationship  to  the  Society  and  co-operate  with  it 
heartily  and  earnestly,  providing  the  following  measures 
be  carried  out.  1st.  That  the  School  Children's  Aid  Society 
should  give  out  no  clothing  without  a  personal  investigation  in 
the  home.  2nd.  That  the  city  be  districted  for  visiting,  and 


144  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  visitors  be  volunteers  living  in  the  districts  so  far  as  pro- 
ticable.  3rd.  That  principals  and  teachers  should  be  relieved 
of  investigations  in  the  homes.  4th.  That  there  should  be  the 
closest  co-operation  between  the  School  Children's  Aid  Society 
and  the  Bureau  of  Charities.  In  addition  to  these  they  urged 
the  employment  of  one  or  more  paid  expert  investigators.  On 
account  of  the  difficult  and  delicate  nature  of  investigation,  the 
School  Children's  Aid  Society  should  not  delegate  its  visiting 
to  truant  officers  or  to  any  other  agency,  but  should  keep  the 
control  and  responsibility  in  its  own  hands  so  that  it  may  be 
assured  of  the  quality  and  thoroughness  of  the  visiting.  This 
work  is  indispensable  to  the  welfare  of  the  city  and  that  it 
may  be  carried  out  in  the  way  suggested  in  this  report,  the 
Committee  asked  that  the  Club  on  its  part  pledge  itself  to  pro- 
vide a  requisite  number  of  members  from  each  Department  to 
serve  as  visitors  in  the  various  districts,  and  they  hoped  for  an 
unselfish  response  to  such  other  demands  for  personal  service 
as  the  future  plans  of  the  School  Children's  Aid  Society  might 
necessitate.  It  was  voted  to  accept  the  report  and  to  adopt  its 
recommendations.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  was  instructed 
to  send  a  copy  to  the  chairman  of  every  Department,  to  be  read 
at  the  first  meeting  of  the  club  year,  October,  1895. 

January  2,  1896,  Dr.  Stevenson  presented  the  following  res- 
olution which  was  adopted:  "Resolved:  That  the  chairman 
of  each  Department  be  requested  to  bring  the  question  of  in- 
vestigation for  the  School  Children's  Aid  before  her  Department 
and  that  each  Department  endeavor  to  bear  some  part  of  the 
expense  of  that  investigation  which  is  now  borne  by  the  Bureau 
of  Charities,  that  Bureau  being  very  much  in  need  of  funds, 
but  prepared  to  do  the  investigation  more  economically  than 
any  other  agency."  In  May  of  the  same  year,  the  Club  voted 
to  send  24  delegates  to  the  School  Children's  Aid  Society  which 
had  recently  become  an  independent  organization.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year  the  Society  was  tendered  the  gratituous  use  of  the 
Club  rooms  for  a  benefit  performance. 

May  22,  1895,  the  following  resolutions  were  presented: 
Whereas,  Members  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  have 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  145 

during  a  term  of  years  made  careful  and  repeated  visits  to  the 
Cook  County  Charities,  namely:  The  County  Agency,  the  In- 
firmary and  Asylum  at  Dunning,  the  Detention  Hospital  and  the 
Cook  County  Hospital;  and 

Whereas,  There  are  in  the  judgment  of  this  Club,  vital 
defects  in  the  County  care  of  the  sick,  poor  and  insane,  which 
result  from  the  present  system  of  political  appointment  and 
which  can  only  be  removed  by  introduction  of  the  merit  system, 
therefore,  Resolved,  That  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  re- 
spectfully requests  the  present  Legislature  to  do  for  the  County 
what  it  has  done  for  the  city  and  for  the  sake  of  humanity 
place  the  management  of  the  charitable  institutions  of  the 
County  on  a  civil  service  basis. 

On  November  28,  1894,  Mrs.  Woolley  presented  the  follow- 
ing resolution:  Resolved,  that  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  con- 
dition its  membership  on  character  and  intelligence,  without  re- 
striction of  race  or  color. 

December  26,  this  resolution  was  further  discussed  by  the 
Club,  the  assembly  going  into  Committee  of  the  Whole  to  con- 
sider it.  On  January  23,  1895,  Mrs.  Woolley  presented  the  fol- 
lowing substitute  resolution:  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  senti- 
ment of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  that  no  one  can  be  exclud- 
ed from  membership  on  race  or  color  lines. 

The  second  resolution  was  accepted  as  a  substitute  for  the 
first.  The  following  telegram  was  received  by  the  Club  while 
still  in  session  from  Dr.  Sarah  H.  Stevenson,  who  was  absent 
from  the  city.  "Justice  is  eternal,  expediency  is  temporal.  Be 
just  and  fear  not." 

The  President,  Miss  Ada  C.  Sweet,  said  in  her  annual  report 
May,  1895 :  "In  looking  back  over  the  history  of  the  past  eight 
months,  one  event  stands  out  conspicuously,  and  is  remarkable. 
I  allude  to  the  passage  of  the  resolution  that  no  woman  can  be 
excluded  from  Club  membership  by  reason  of  her  race  or  color. 
It  was  right  and  proper  under  the  circumstances,  for  the  Club 
to  clearly  enunciate  its  opinion  upon  the  subject  of  race  and 
color  prejudice,  and  to  refuse  to  aid  its  continuance  or  growth. 


146  ANNALS  OF  THE 

That  its  expressed  opinion  was  in  line  with  the  clearest  thought 
and  highest  ideals  of  our  time  is  a  matter  of  just  pride  and 
congratulation." 

On  several  occasions  there  was  great  difference  of  opinion  on 
certain  issues,  but  in  spite  of  divergent  views,  the  Club  always 
accepted  the  ruling  of  the  majority;  after  a  question  was  fairly 
discussed  by  the  members  and  a  decision  reached,  the  Club 
settled  down  to  work  again,  and  no  ill  feeling  was  allowed  to 
cloud  the  harmonious  relations  of  the  members. 

At  the  annual  meeting  the  Membership  Committee  reported 
as  follows:  "You  will  notice  that  under  the  head  of  suburban, 
I  have  read  Princeton  and  Buffalo,  New  York.  This  wide 
spreading  membership  will  interest  you  and  it  recalls  to  your 
committee  much  discussion  over  the  admission  of  members  from 
a  distance  which  ended  in  the  belief  that  it  was  not  the  province 
of  the  Membership  Committee  to  decide  how  many  miles  a  mem- 
ber should  be  allowed  to  travel  in  order  to  attend  a  meeting 
of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club.  The  creation  of  a  Membership 
Committee  has  proven  to  be  wise,  in  that  13  responsible  wom- 
en have  charge  of  the  work  which  requires  time  and  conscien- 
tious effort,  such  as  cannot  be  given  by  the  Board  of  Managers 
without  conflicting  with  other  important  work." 

Delegates  from  the  various  women's  clubs  of  the  state  of  Il- 
linois held  a  two  days'  meeting  October  11,  1894,  to  organize 
an  Illinois  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  in  the  rooms  of  the 
Chicago  Women's  Club,  Clara  M.  J.  Parson,  presiding. 
In  the  preceding  April  the  subject  of  the  state  federation  was 
discussed  at  a  meeting  of  the  clubs  of  Cook  County,  which  was 
also  held  at  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  and  which  was  called 
by  Kate  G.  Huddleston,  then  corresponding  secretary  of 
the  Women's  Club.  At  that  meeting  the  representatives  of  the 
Cook  County  clubs  voted  in  favor  of  forming  a  State  Federa- 
tion. On  November  28,  1894  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  voted 
to  join  the  State  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  and  on  Jan- 
uary 23,  1895,  it  was  voted  to  appoint  a  permanent  committee 
of  three  on  General  Federation,  with  Mrs.  G.  W.  Huddleston, 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  147 

chairman,  and  Mrs.  Robert  B.  Parson  and  Mrs.  William  Thayer 
Brown,  members. 

November  7,  1894,  the  chairman  of  the  Philanthropy  Depart- 
ment reported  that  a  Committee  had  been  appointed  to  inquire 
into  the  number  of  children  in  poorhouses  and  the  advisability 
of  providing  homes  for  them. 

November  7,  1894,  was  Poet's  Day;  Robert  Browning  was 
the  subject.  There  was  an  address  by  Celia  Parker  Woolley; 
songs,  readings  and  recitations.  On  February  7  and  10,  Pro- 
fessor John  Fiske  gave  two  lectures  before  the  Philosophy  and 
Science  Department.  A  mass  meeting  of  the  members  of  the 
Chicago  Women's  Club  was  held  January  22,  1895,  to  consider 
the  completion  of  the  women's  hall  at  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago. Mrs.  Sumner  Ellis  presented  the  following  statement: 
The  University  of  Chicago  offers  to  women  exceptional  ad- 
vantages, 503  women  having  been  numbered  among  its  students. 
The  present  quarter  309  are  enrolled.  The  three  university 
halls  already  erected  provide  for  only  130,  and  the  necessity  for 
more  accommodations  is  urgent.  The  mass  meeting  was  the  di- 
rect outgrowth  of  a  Wednesday  afternoon  session,  held  more 
then  three  years  before,  on  which  occasion  Dr.  Harper  addressed 
the  Club  on  the  topic  of  a  woman's  hall  at  the  University  of 
Chicago.  A  committee  was  then  appointed  by  the  President  of 
the  Club,  through  whose  efforts,  with  outside  contributions,  the 
three  halls  were  erected.  Nearly  one-third  of  the  students  be- 
ing women,  the  need  for  another  building  again  seemed  im- 
perative. Dr.  Harper  addressed  the  meeting  and  Alice  Free- 
man Palmer  spoke  of  the  urgent  need  for  more  accommodations 
for  women.  Mrs.  Otto  Matz  urged  that  the  new  building  be 
named  "Kate  Newell  Doggett,"  in  memory  of  one  who  had 
been  so  actively  identified  with  the  advancement  of  women  in 
the  earlier  days  of  Chicago. 

January  9,  1895,  a  letter  was  read  from  Alice  W.  Put- 
nam, regarding  the  proposed  introduction  of  kindergartens  as 
a  part  of  the  public  school  system  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  ask- 
ing the  co-operation  of  the  Club.  The  following  Committee  was 


»>   \,      \  .„,        * 

148  ANNALS  QF  THE    ' 

appointed  on  state  legislation  to  further  kindergarten  •  iristruc-  ' 
tion  in  public  schools  of  Illinois:  Mrs.  Alice  W.  Putnam, 
Chairman ;  Mrs.  J.  M.  Flower,  Reform ;  Mrs.  W.  B.  Keen, 
Education;  Mrs.  H.  D.  Lloyd,  Philanthropy;  M^.  C.  K.  Sher- 
man, Philosophy  and  Science;  Mrs.  J.  R.  Mann,  Home;  Mrs. 
H.  L.  Frank,  Art  and  Literature.  April  10,  1895,  Alice  W. 
Putnam  stated  that  the  Kindergarten  Bill  had  passed  both 
houses  of  Legislature  and  would  soon  become  a  law.  It  would 
not  directly  affect  Chicago,  as  her  schools  are  under  special 
jurisdiction  of  the  city,  but  would  open  many  opportunities  for 
kindergartens  in  neighboring  towns. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Club  January  25,  1895,  Maud 
Ballington  Booth  spoke  of  the  rescue  work  of  the  Salvation 
Army  of  Chicago.  Jane  Addams  reported  on  the  Model  Lodging 
House  which  had  recently  been  established  by  the  Club.  A  benefit 
concert  was  given  February  9,  for  a  young  woman's  fellowship  at 
the  University  of  Chicago.  There  was  a  patriotic  program  on  the 
afternoon  of  February  5,  1895.  The  flags  were  lent  by  the  Union 
League  Club,  and  portraits  of  Lincoln  and  Washington  by 
Charles  Gunther.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  program  the  Club, 
led  by  Mrs.  Noyes,  joined  heartily  in  singing  "America." 

A  symposium  on  the  temperance  question  was  held  February 
6,  1895,  the  following  papers  were  presented : 

Prohibition,  Miss  Frances  E.  Willard;  Gothenburg  System, 
Rachel  Hickey  Carr,  M.  D. ;  The  Keeley  Cure,Leslie  E.  Keeley, 
M.  D. ;  The  South  Carolina  Liquor  Law,  Julia  Ross  Low,  M.  D. 

February  20,  1895,  the  eighteenth  anniversary  of  the  found- 
ing of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  was  celebrated  as  Founders' 
Day.  About  400,  including  the  following  charter  members,  were 
present:  Mesdames  Burrows,  Corneau,  Dow,  Furness,  Greeley, 
Howe,  Tilton,  Withrow  and  Wilkinson.  Mrs.  Laura  S.  Wilk- 
inson discussed  "A  Cup  of  Tea." 

Mrs.  Marietta  A.  Dow  recalled  the  reminiscences  of  the  past, 
picturing  the  first  year  of  the  Club  when  it  met  in  Mrs.  Brown's 
apartments.  Some  hesitated  to  join  as  it  was  deemed  too  rad- 
ical. The  Club  first  met  in  February,  1876.  In  March  the  first 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  149 

paper  was  presented.  There  was  no  printed  calendar  for  one 
and  a  half  years.  In  the  first  calendar  appeared  the  names  of 
fifty  members. 

Mrs.  Jennie  G.  Withrow  sounded  a  word  of  cheer  to  the 
Club  of  1895.  She  stated  she  was  most  happy  to  have  been 
identified  with  it  in  its  beginning.  This  daughter  had  been 
led  most  carefully  to  this,  her  eighteenth  birthday.  Mrs.  Lucy 
F.  Furness  spoke  on  "A  Woman's  Bank  Account."  She  pre- 
sented the  educational  advantage  this  club  was  to  every  woman 
who  did  her  part.  Mrs.  Lucretia  Jane  Tilton  responded  to  the 
sentiment,  "What  the  Years  Teach."  In  the  earlier  days  the 
little  company  was  brought  together  by  the  inspiring  words  of 
Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Brown.  With  years  came  increase  of  mem- 
bers, increase  of  opportunity,  and  increase  of  duty.  She  could 
hardly  realize  the  growth  of  the  Club.  True  union  can  never 
exist  until  the  members  can  agree  to  disagree.  Complete  una- 
nimity of  opinion  is  not  desirable.  Mrs.  Mary  Louise  Burrows 
presented  to  the  Club  an  engraving  of  "Morning  in  the  High- 
lands." During  the  first  three  years  of  the  Club,  Mrs.  Bur- 
rows was  the  Recording  and  Corresponding  Secretary.  After 
the  separation  of  these  offices,  she  continued  as  the  Correspond- 
ing Secretary  for  two  years  more,  and  a  member  of  the  Board 
during  the  first  seven  years  of  the  Club.  A  rising  vote,  in  ex- 
pression of  respect  was  given  for  Mrs.  Brown,  the  founder,  and 
the  absent  charter  members.  Mrs.  Kate  Huddleston  read  a  let- 
ter from  Mrs.  Brown  in  which  she  expressed  her  disappoint- 
ment in  not  being  able  to  be  present:  "Time,  strength  and 
words  fail  me  to  tell  you  of  my  ever  increasing  joy  and  pride 
in  you.  Eagerly  I  read  every  mention  of  the  Women's  Club 
in  the  paper,  every  account  of  what  you  are  doing,  and  what 
Chicago  wants  you  to  do.  I  comfort  myself  with  the  good 
work  you  are  doing  for  the  world,  and  the  noble  stand  you 
take  in  the  van  of  progress.  You  are  my  pride  and  delight." 

As  evidence  of  the  growth  in  formality  in  the  transaction 
of  business,  the  following  items  are  recorded  during  this 
period :  A  Nominating  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  Pres- 


150  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ident,  March  14,  1894.  October  10,  non-resident  membership 
was  considered,  but  was  not  established  until  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  following  year.  A  query  as  to  the  character  of  re- 
ports rendered  by  the  Departments  at  the  fourth  Wednesday 
and  Board  meetings  brought  the  suggestion  that  the  reports 
on  the  fourth  Wednesday  should  embody  what  had  been  ac- 
complished during  the  month,  and  the  reports  at  the  Board 
meetings  should  give  account  of  new  work  to  be  undertaken. 
March  13,  1895,  the  following  recommendation  was  adopted: 

That  visitors  be  excluded  from  business  meetings  of  Club 
and  Departments,  but  that  the  matter  of  admission  to  Depart- 
ment literary  meetings  or  classes  be  left  to  the  Departments 
themselves,  each  making  its  own  rules  and  regulations. 

April  15,  1895,  it  was  voted  that  the  Australian  system  of 
marking  ballots  be  used.  On  April  22,  the  following  measures 
were  passed:  The  name  of  each  candidate  shall  be  presented 
to  the  Committee  on  Membership,  and  after  consideration  shall 
be  posted  on  the  bulletin  board  in  the  room  of  the  Club  one 
month  before  election.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  members 
of  the  Club  to  examine  the  bulletin  board.  Objections  to  a 
candidate  must  be  stated  to  the  Committee  on  Membership  at 
one  of  its  regular  meetings.  No  member  may  propose  more 
than  one  candidate  during  a  Club  year  and  shall  have  personal 
acquaintance  with  said  candidate.  The  Membership  Committee 
is  to  be  appointed  by  the  Board  upon  recommendation  of  the 
Club,  two  members  being  nominated  by  each  Department,  and 
the  Second  Vice  President  to  be  chairman. 

At  the  annual  meeting  May  18,  1895,  a  significant  change  was 
made  in  the  by-laws  as  follows : 

Life  membership  may  be  acquired  by  members  on  the  pay- 
ment of  two  hundred  dollars  ($200)  instead  of  annual  dues. 

The  President  reported  on  the  same  date: 

Having  attained  our  eighteenth  birthday,  becoming  legally 
eligible  to  all  the  privileges  of  clubship,  it  was  deemed  advisable 
to  provide  ourselves  with  somewhat  of  the  paraphernalia  of  our 
majority,  namely  a  corporate  seal,  which  will  hereafter  be  found 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  151 

on  all  documents  pertaining  to  this  Club,  which  will  require 
such  authentication. 

On  motion,  it  was  voted  October  23,  1895,  that 
reports  of  chairmen  of  departments  and  committees  be  here- 
aftej  submitted  to,  and  accepted  by,  the  several  departments 
and  committees  before  coming  to  the  Club  for  consideration. 
In  case  of  disagreement  a  minority  and  majority  report  might 
be  offered.  It  was  further  voted  that  no  member  shall  hold 
an  elective  office  in  the  Club  for  more  than  three  consecutive 
years,  and  that  no  member  shall  be  eligible  to  official  position 
until  she  has  been  a  member  of  the  Club  three  years.  A  candi- 
date for  admission  through  the  Club  shall  be  proposed  by  five 
members,  instead  of  three,  as  was  the  previous  custom. 

December  8,  1897,  a  committee  was  formed  to  be  an  advisory 
committee  to  consist  of  five  members  from  each  department  in- 
cluding the  President  of  the  Club,  such  committee  to  discuss 
questions  of  club  policy,  and  to  report  from  time  to  time  to 
the  Board.  February  15,  1898,  the  Advisory  Committee  recom- 
mended among  other  items  that  the  Club  calendar  follow  the 
form  of  the  Denver  Woman's  Club  calendar,  with  all  Club 
events  arranged  in  chronological  order.  The  suggestion  that 
the  signatures  as  well  as  addresses  be  printed  in  the  calendar 
was  made  by  Laura  H.  Clark  and  accepted  by  the  committee. 

March  9,  1898,  the  Program  Committee  recommended  that 
half  the  number  of  afternoon  meetings  of  the  year  be  given 
to  a  continuous  topic;  the  other  afternoons  to  be  given  to  mis- 
cellaneous topics.  They  further  recommended  the  subject  of 
the  continuous  topic  to  be  "Modern  Prophets."  Three  Depart- 
ments desired  to  have  the  topics  for  their  days  left  open  for 
current  topics  and  the  Committee  agreed  to  leave  this  to  each 
Department.  A  further  recomendation  was  that  the  Board  in- 
struct Departments  to  appoint  a  Program  Committee  of  five 
from  each  Department,  one  of  whom  shall  be  designated  as 
chairman ;  that  these  six  Committees  shall  meet  and  discuss  the 
general  subjects  for  the  afternoon  programs  of  the  coming  year ; 
that  these  six  Committees  shall  report  back  to  their  Departments 


152  ANNALS  OF  THE 

and  to  the  Board;  after  which  another  meeting  of  the  whole 
shall  be  held  and  the  general  topic  decided,  and  essayists  chosen. 

May  25,  1898,  the  following  rules  were  established: 

The  annual  dues  of  twelve  dollars  shall  be  apportioned  as 
follows:  Ten  dollars  to  the  Club  treasury  for  Club  expenses 
only,  and  two  dollars  to  the  Department  to  which  the  member 
belongs.  No  assessments  shall  be  made  in  Departments. 

March  13,  1895,  a  statement  was  read  from  the  Art  and  Lit- 
erature Department  endorsing  the  plan  proposed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, that  a  certain  sum  of  money  be  set  aside  each  year  toward 
the  purchase  of  pictures  and  other  works  of  art  to  be  placed 
in  the  Club  rooms.  The  recommendation  of  the  President  that 
$250.00  be  set  aside  annually  for  the  next  five  years  for  this 
purpose  was  endorsed  by  the  Board  and  adopted  by  the  Club 
at  its  annual  meeting.  A  committee  was  appointed  for  the 
selection  and  purchase  of  works  of  art. 

At  the  business  meeting  of  March  27,  1895,  Julia  C.  Lathrop 
presented  the  Dependent  Children's  Bill  then  before  the  Legis- 
lature, and  it  was  voted  that  the  Chicago  Women's  Club  en- 
dorse the  bill.  The  following  resolutions  were  also  adopted: 

Whereas,  A  bill  has  been  introduced  in  the  State  Legis- 
lature prohibiting  the  employment  of  married  women  in  the 
public  schools  of  Chicago: 

Whereas,  We  believe  that  this  will  take  from  our  Local 
Board  of  Education  their  discretionary  powers;  and 

Whereas,  We  believe  the  bill  to  be  unconstitutional  because 
is  legislates  against  a  class  of  working  women,  as  a  class,  with- 
out reference  to  merit;  therefore,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we,  the  members  of  the  Chicago  Women's 
Club,  adopt  the  resolution  as  amended  and  that  the  Correspond- 
ing Secretary  communicate  to  the  chairman  of  the  Legislative 
Committee  and  Governor  Altgeld  the  action  of  the  Club. 

H.  B.  Frissell,  principal  of  the  Hampton  Normal  and 
Agricultural  Institute,  Hampton,  Va.,  was  given  an  opportunity 
to  present  his  work  to  the  Club  February  27.  Ruth  McEnery 
Stuart  gave  a  reading  before  the  Club  March  19. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  153 

April  24,  1895,  on  motion  of  Mrs.  Woolley,  it  was  voted 
that  the  Chicago  Women's  Qub  expresses  the  hope  that  the  de- 
partments of  the  Club  will  continue  their  present  relations  to 
the  Protective  Agency  by  the  appointment  of  a  director  from 
their  number  and  raising  the  necessary  fee  of  $100  for  each 
delegate. 

Many  valuable  gifts  were  received  by  the  Club  during  these 
years.  In  1894,  a  bronze  medallion  of  Lincoln  was  presented  by 
Mr.  Zearing.  Mr.  Lorado  Taft  gave  us  a  cast  of  the  bust  of 
Julia  Marlowe.  Miss  Bessie  Potter  gave  us  a  cast  of  one  of 
her  works.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McConnell  presented  a  painting  by 
Elkins. 

During  the  year  1894-1895,  the  Qub  rooms  were  used  for 
three  meetings  each  month  by  the  Political  Equality  League ;  for 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  Protective  Agency,  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  Public  School  Art  Society,  a  meeting  of  the  National 
Household  Economic  Association,  by  the  Executive  Board  of 
the  Illinois  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  the  Physical  Culture 
Society,  and  the  Federation  of  Working  Girls'  Clubs.  These 
and  other  organizations  were  given  the  use  of  the  rooms  free 
of  charge.  Beginning  with  September,  1895,  it  became  neces- 
sary to  charge  a  nominal  rental  for  rooms  used  by  organiza- 
tions for  regular  meetings. 

In  May,  1895,  the  President,  Ada  C.  Sweet,  made  the  fol- 
lowing statement :  "The  Qub  has  thoroughly  enjoyed  and  freely 
used  its  home  during  the  year,  and  has  added  to  its  general 
usefulness  in  the  community  by  giving,  as  seemed  to  the  Board 
proper,  the  use  of  the  Assembly  Room  to  certain  purposes,  such 
as  the  meeting  of  the  Illinois  State  Federation  of  Qubs,  The 
Chicago  Bureau  of  Charities,  Federation  of  Working  Girls' 
Clubs.  Organizations,  like  individuals,  find  opportunites  for 
growth  and  cultivation  in  the  exercise  of  hospitality." 

October  23,  1895,  Dr.  Stevenson  moved  to  amend 
the  by-laws  by  substituting  "Woman's"  for  "Women's." 
The  amendment  was  adopted  and  the  title  of  the  Qub  changed 
from  Chicago  Women's  Club  to  Chicago  Woman's  Club. 


154  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Nov.  20,  1895,  Mrs.  Shattuck,  Chairman  of  Committee  on 
Parliamentary  Law,  stated  that  a  class  in  this  subject  would 
meet  every  Saturday  morning  at  10:30  o'clock  in  the  Assembly 
Room,  Mrs.  Shattuck  in  charge.  The  program  for  De- 
cember 4,  1895,  was  as  follows:  Poet's  Day.  A  paper 
on  Dante  Gabriel  Rossetti  and  the  Rossetti  family,  Mrs. 
Winthrop  Girling;  a  paper  on  Christina  Rossetti,  Mrs.  Anthony 
F.  Merrill;  recitation  and  songs.  The  study  class  on  Household 
Economics  of  the  Home  Department  met  for  the  first  time 
October  23,  1895. 

April  27,  1894,  the  Philosophy  and  Science  Department  de- 
cided to  interest  itself  in  the  preservation  of  the  results  of  the 
recent  explorations  in  Egypt.  Mr.  Breasted  of  the  University 
of  Chicago  explained  in  detail  the  character  of  the  work  and 
the  value  of  the  explorations  at  a  meeting  held  May  25.  June 
3,  1894,  it  was  recommended  that  the  Department  contribute 
to  the  Egyptian  explorations  in  connection  with  the 
University  of  Chicago.  The  Department  adopted  the  work  of 
collecting  subscriptions  for  the  fund.  An  Egyptian  reception 
was  given  at  Haskell  Museum.  The  work  was  described  as 
most  appropriate  for  the  Department,  being  of  a  nature  both 
philosophical  and  scientific  in  its  relation  to  archaeology  and 
history.  April  9,  1896,  Mrs.  Wilmarth  presented  a  request  for 
the  use  of  the  rooms  for  a  lecture  to  be  given  by  Prof.  Breasted, 
of  the  University  of  Chicago,  on  "Recent  Explorations  in 
Egypt."  The  annual  report  of  1896-97  states:  "A  fund  of  $404 
was  raised  and  forwarded  to  Dr.  Petrie,  who  is  using  it  in  carry- 
ing on  his  excavations,  the  results  of  which  will  be  sent  to  the 
University;  they  will  be  presented  by  the  Department  to 
Haskell  Museum,  where  they  will  assist,  we  hope,  in  some  scien- 
tific investigations  of  historical  significance." 

The  Philosophy  and  Science  Department  sustained  the 
Egyptian  Research  Committee  until  1899,  when  it  reported  the 
following  acquisitions  which  had  accrued  to  Haskell  Museum 
of  the  University  of  Chicago,  through  its  subscriptions:  A 
magnificant  series  of  over  forty  diorite  and  alabaster  vessels, 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  155 

dated  3,000  B.  C,  with  one  exception,  the  best  collection  of 
its  kind  in  America;  a  fine  collection  of  necklaces  of  amethyst, 
garnet,  cornelian  and  scarabs  of  the  same  material;  a  large  col- 
lection of  pre-historic  pottery,  forty  bronze  statuettes,  slabs  of 
relief  from  masonry  tombs,  3,000  B.  C.,  sandstone  mortuary 
box,  tomb  tablets  and  fragments;  rare  slab  from  coffin,  3,000  B. 
C,  bronze  axe  and  bowl,  2,300  B.  C. ;  a  large  number  of  objects 
of  lesser  importance. 

The  proposal  that  the  Philosophy  and  Science  Department 
undertake  some  practical  work,  awoke  the  discussion  that  it  was 
wiser  to  assist  in  successfully  carrying  out  some  of  the  work  of 
the  Club  already  started,  and  it  was  decided  that  the  Board 
be  asked  for  time,  on  the  fourth  Wednesday  of  March,  for  a 
vigorous  discussion  of  the  relation  of  the  work  of  the  Depart- 
ments to  the  work  of  the  Club. 

Attention  was  called  to  the  very  efficient  activities  of  the 
Students'  Reference  Bureau.  Having  its  headquarters  at  the 
rooms  of  the  Woman's  Club,  the  Bureau  had  carried  on  its 
work  in  a  field  bounded  by  twenty  states.  It  had  prepared  pro- 
grams for  clubs,  arranged  for  special  days  and  special  meetings, 
sent  bibliographical  references  and  solved  endless  knotty 
problems.  The  work  was  largely  among  the  southern  and 
western  states,  with  clubs  small  in  numbers  and  limited  in  re- 
sources, where  the  very  lowest  sum  must  be  charged  or  the 
opportunity  to  be  of  help  where  help  is  most  sadly  needed  will 
be  closed. 

The  chairman  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  gave  a 
report  of  a  reception  February  13,  1894,  to  the  women 
artists  of  the  city.  November  28,  1894,  it  was  voted  to  appoint 
a  social  committee  to  take  charge  of  luncheons  and  social  even- 
ings for  the  Department  at  which  the  literary  people  and  artists 
of  the  city  might  be  entertained.  January  7,  1895,  Mr.  Gelert's 
panel  for  the  Margaret  Etter  Creche  was  unveiled  at  the  Art 
and  Literature  reception.  It  was  stated  that  artists  were  willing 
to  leave,  their  casts  and  pictures  at  the  Club  if  desired,  and 
authority  was  given  to  Mrs.  Mary  K.  Bartlett  to  invite  artists  to 


156  ANNALS  OF  THE 

place  their  work  on  exhibition  in  the  Club  rooms.     Three  art 
clubs  loaned  pictures  for  this  purpose  and  several  were  sold. 

Among  the  social  events  of  this  period  was  the  celebra- 
tion by  the  Club  of  the  80th  birthday  of  Elizabeth  Cady  Stanton, 
Oct.  30,  1895.  In  December  the  Education  Department  enter- 
tained the  faculties  of  the  Northwestern  and  Lake  Forest  Uni- 
versities, as  well  as  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  also  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Chicago  Board  of  Education  together  with  the 
superintendent  and  assistant  superintendent  of  the  Chicago 
schools.  A  reception  was  held  February  18,  1896,  at  which  the 
members  of  the  Civic  Federation  were  the  guests  of  honor.  At 
the  recommendation  of  the  retiring  President,  Mrs.  Coonley,  it 
was  voted  to  hold  an  informal  reception  one  Saturday  each 
month  throughout  the  Club  year.  At  the  request  of  the  Polit- 
ical Equality  League,  the  Social  Committee  turned  the  January 
informal  "at  home,"  1897,  into  a  reception  to  Susan  B. 
Anthony  and  invited  the  Political  Equality  League  to  be  present 
on  the  occasion.  The  exchequer  of  the  Club  did  not  permit 
the  purchase  of  china  until  1898,  until  which  time  each  member 
furnished  her  own  cup,  saucer  and  plate  for  use  at  the  Club. 

May  22,  1895,  a  committee  of  the  Art  and  Literature  De- 
partment was  appointed  to  form  an  art  class,  for  the  study  of 
"Art  in  Chicago"  with  Mrs.  Herman  J.  Hall  as  leader,  and  the 
program  was  enclosed  as  a  leaflet  in  the  calendar.  In  December, 
arrangements  were  made  for  placing  a  piano  in  the  Club  rooms. 
The  Social  Committee  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  re- 
ported that  the  Club  rooms  had  been  secured  for  February  11, 
for  a  reception  to  sculptors  and  painters.  Permission  had  also 
been  secured  to  invite  artists  to  send  work  to  be  placed  on  ex- 
hibition for  a  week.  It  was  later  reported:  "The  unaffected 
cordiality  with  which  our  advances  were  met,  the  repeated  as- 
surances that  our  recognition  was  cheering  and  stimulating  were 
most  encouraging;  we  have  received  their  thanks  for  taking  the 
initiative ;  they  felt  they  have  to  thank  us  for  the  attentions  they 
have  since  received  from  other  clubs;  that  our  attitude  has 
brought  commissions  to  their  studios." 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  157 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department  reported  in  1895,  that 
the  work  of  the  Society  for  Placing  Works  of  Art  in  the  Public 
Schools  was  adopted  as  one  line  of  its  activity.  Through  the 
influence  of  the  committee,  the  dreary  and  desolate  walls  had 
been  tinted  and  pictures  hung  in  the  Jones,  Andrew  Jackson  and 
Polk  street  schools.  The  Browning  class  of  the  year  1894-1895, 
was  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs.  Woolley  and  during  1895- 
1896,  under  that  of  Mrs.  MacMahon;  $50.00  were  appropriated 
from  the  funds  of  the  Department  to  pay  the  tuition  of  a  boy 
student  at  the  Art  Institute. 

Mrs.  Bartlett  reported  that  April  23,  1895,  was  selected 
as  the  date  on  which  to  give  the  reception  to  writers.  The  first 
Art  Purchasing  Committee  reported  the  purchase  of  the  "Sing- 
ing Pines,"  by  Sven  Svendsen  and  a  picture  by  William  Wendt, 
also  a  group,  "Maternity,"  by  Bessie  Potter.  These  purchases 
were  made  from  a  fund  of  five  hundred  dollars,  two  hundred 
and  fifty  dollars  having  been  set  aside  in  1894,  and  two  hundred 
and  fifty  in  1895,  by  the  Club.  April  22,  1896,  the  Art  and 
Literature  Department  accepted  the  invitation  of  Mrs.  S.  M. 
Millar d  of  Highland  Park,  to  a  Colonial  luncheon  at  her  summer 
home  June  20.  December  23,  1896,  a  committee  of  five  was 
appointed  by  the  Department  to  serve  as  a  reception  committee 
and  to  consider  possible  entertainments  to  be  given  to  celebri- 
ties visiting  Chicago.  February  24,  1897,  Miss  Isabel  McDougal 
recommended  that  the  Department  give  a  reception  on  April 
23,  Shakespeare's  birthday.  Mrs.  Moore  asked  that  $50.00  be 
given  for  choral  work  at  Neighborhood  House.  This  was  a 
regular  contribution  from  the  Department  for  many  years. 

The  Education  Department  reported  October  24,  1894:  The 
object  of  the  School  Visitation  Sub-Committee  of  the  Educa- 
tion Department  is  to  promote  the  highest  possible  interest  in 
our  public  schools,  and  to  study,  read  and  inquire  with  this 
end  in  view ;  to  obtain  a  practical  knowledge  of  the  system  and 
methods  employed,  as  well  as  of  the  theories  from  which  these 
result,  to  promote  acquaintance  and  understanding  between 
parents  and  teachers  and  indirectly  between  teachers  and  pupils; 


158  ANNALS  OF  THE 

to  encourage  and  uphold,  by  appreciation,  all  that  is  best,  to 
arouse  in  parents  an  intelligent  interest  in  the  schools  and  so 
influence  public  opinion  to  demand  the  best.  For  the  year 
1895-1896,  the  Department  decided  to  retain  its  relation  to  the 
Protective  Agency,  the  School  Children's  Aid,  the  Public  School 
Art  Society  and  Glenwood  School.  It  was  also  decided  to  have 
a  study  class  on  the  lines  of  this  work  to  be  held  the  fourth 
Wednesday  of  every  month.  "Sex  in  Education," — from  the 
standpoint  of  physician,  teacher  and  mother,  was  the  subject  of 
the  Department  on  April  22,  1896.  This  meeting  was  followed 
by  a  reception  to  the  public  school  teachers  of  the  city.  Novem- 
ber 6,  1895,  the  Education  Department  appointed  a  committee 
to  confer  with  similar  committees  from  the  Association  of  Col- 
legiate Alumnae  and  Education  Department  of  the  Civic  Feder- 
ation, for  the  purpose  of  practical  investigation  and  helpful 
work  in  the  public  schools. 

The  Philanthropy  Department  had  charge  of  a  meeting 
October  3,  1894,  which  was  followed  by  an  informal  tea  to  which 
each  member  of  the  Club  was  permitted  to  invite  two  guests. 
January  23,  1895,  Mrs.  Julia  R.  Shattuck,  representing  the  com- 
mittee in  charge  of  collecting  funds  for  the  Model  Lodging 
House,  spoke  of  its  needs. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Reform  Department  February  20,  1895, 
Mrs.  Flower  spoke  of  a  bill  before  the  legislature  to  establish 
in  Chicago  a  school  for  truant  children  who  are  beyond  pa- 
rental control,  and  failed  to  attend  the  public  school,  or  were 
refractory  if  in  attendance.  It  was  in  no  sense  to  be  a 
reformatory,  merely  a  part  of  the  educational  system. 
The  records  of  the  Reform  Department  show  the  following 
items:  March  21,  1894,  Mrs.  Flower  and  Dr.  Harriet  Alex- 
ander were  appointed  a  Committee  to  devise  means  of  securing 
the  appointment  of  an  accomplished  alienist  as  medical  superin- 
tendent of  the  Detention  Hospital.  Mrs.  Holt  reported  that  the 
law  regarding  women  and  children  was  ready  and  spoke  of  the 
urgent  need  of  a  station  for  women.  Dr.  Stevenson  brought 
before  the  Department  the  need  of  a  state  institution  for  epilep- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  159 

tics.  November  2,  1894,  Mrs.  Holt  reported  a  movement  being 
made  in  the  office  of  the  State's  Attorney  to  expedite  the  trial 
of  boys.  Miss  Haythorn  reported  that  she  had  been  encour- 
aged by  the  assurance  that  cases  of  boys  would  be  tried  at  once 
by  Judge  Tuthill,  who  would  hold  court  for  the  purpose  on 
Saturday  mornings.  In  January,  1895,  all  members  were  in- 
vited to  visit  the  Model  Lodging  House  and  Work  Shop  at  186 
West  Polk  Street.  Thirty  clubs  were  reported  as  contributing 
to  the  maintenance  of  this  work.  The  annual  report  of  the 
Reform  Department  in  May,  1895,  stated:  The  committee  on 
securing  women  physicians  in  all  institutions  where  women  and 
children  are  cared  for  reported  that  the  Criminal  Asylum  at 
Chester,  Illinois,  was  at  that  time  the  only  institution  in  the 
state  which  had  no  women  on  its  medical  staff.  The  jail  school 
had  been  supported  since  February,  1892,  by  and  under  the 
supervision  of  the  Department  and  a  teacher  was  now  employed 
from  September  1  to  June  15,  at  an  expense  of  $224.40.  Dur- 
ing the  year  there  were  479  boys  in  the  County  Jail,  and  where- 
as the  school  was  formerly  only  tolerated,  it  was  now  considered 
of  great  value,  and  every  possible  assistance  was  given  to  those 
in  charge.  The  Department  urged  the  reappointment  of  the 
present  jailer,  Mr.  Whitman.  "We  have  been  assured  that  the 
place  was  secured  to  him  upon  our  recommendation  and  in 
deference  to  our  wishes."  Volunteers  from  the  Reform  Depart- 
ment had  been  called  upon  to  aid  the  Bureau  of  Charities  in 
friendly  visiting.  December  18,  1895,  Dr.  Stevenson  called 
for  an  expression  of  sympathy  for  the  women  and  children  in 
their  terrible  condition  in  Armenia,  and  moved  that  the  Reform 
Department  hold  itself  in  readiness  to  assist  the  endeavors  of 
the  Red  Cross  Society  on  behalf  of  the  Armenian  women.  She 
also  reported  that  a  conference  would  be  held  for  the  discus- 
sion of  the  laws  of  the  State  regarding  women  and  children. 
January  8,  1896,  the  Reform  Department  announced  monthly 
meetings  for  the  study  of  laws  regarding  women  and  children, 
in  which  Illinois  was  behind  other  states.  At  the  close  of  the 
Club  season  1896,  the  Chairman  of  the  City  Federation  Com- 
mittee reported  that  the  most  important  work  done  by  the  Re- 


160  ANNALS  OF  THE 

form  Department  during  the  year  was  the  reorganization  of  the 
Bureau  of  Charities.  February  22,  1896,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  wait  upon  the  Mayor  and  City  Council  in  behalf  of 
the  completion  and  opening  of  the  John  Worthy  School.  Re- 
ports of  the  jail  school  and  County  Institution  Visiting  Com- 
mittees were  made  regularly  at  each  meeting  of  the  Department 
and  show  results  in  practical  work  and  remedial  measures.  The 
jail  teacher  reported  March,  1896,  62  boys  in  school; 
sentences  shortened;  communications  sent  to  parents  from  boys 
who  were  long  from  home.  She  told  of  the  excitable  condition 
of  her  pupils  during  the  past  month,  owing  to  an  execution 
having  been  held  in  the  jail.  Conversation  for  two  weeks  had 
been  chiefly  of  its  harrowing  details  and  the  boys  suffered 
either  from  nervousness  and  horror,  or  were  brutalized  accord- 
ing to  their  age  and  temperament.  A  Committee  was  appointed 
to  call  upon  the  Sheriff  and  learn  particulars  as  to  the  execu- 
tions being  held  at  state  penitentiaries  where  no  minors  are  con- 
fined. The  following  letter  was  sent  to  Miss  Flood :  "The  only  very 
pleasant  recollection  of  this  jail,  that  some  of  the  Grand  Jury 
have,  is  connected  with  their  visit  to  the  room  where  you  were 
taking  care  of  the  small  boys.  We  just  felt  sorry  for  the  poor 
little  fellows  and  grateful  to  the  Woman's  Club  and  to  you.  En- 
closed please  find  my  check  for  $24.10,  being  the  amount  of  my 
fees  as  grand  juror.  I  will  forward  to  you  later  another  check 
for  the  same  amount  from  the  foreman  of  the  grand  jury.  My 
own  belief,  after  a  grand  jury  service  is,  that  the  only  hope  of 
the  future  lies  in  reforming  the  children,  not  the  grown  people." 
May  13,  18%,  Dr.  Stevenson  wished  that  the  work  of  the 
Reform  Department  for  next  year  could  include  an  effort  to 
obtain  a  training  school  for  nurses  to  take  charge  of  the  insane 
at  the  Detention  Hospital  and  Dunning.  Miss  Haythorn,  the 
new  teacher  at  the  jail  school,  found  that  many  people  had  been 
awakened  to  the  conditions  of  unfortunate  boys  through  the 
school  and  that  the  judges  had  never  before  been  so  interested 
and  ready  to  hear  the  boys'  cases  as  now.  At  her  suggestion 
the  State's  Attorney  had  new  books  made  out  so  that  the  boys' 
cases  were  put  by  themselves  and  were  given  the  first  hearings. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  161 

December  16,  1896,  the  Reform  Department  proposed  to  provide 
entertainment  for  the  poor  at  Dunning  as  often  as  once  a  week. 
It  was  also  decided  to  engage  a  kindergarten  teacher  for  such 
insane  women  at  the  asylum  as  are  capable  of  receiving  instruc- 
tion and  finding  an  interest  in  occupation.  The  Jail  School 
Committee  reported  having  visited  the  proper  authorities  at  the 
Court  House  to  ask  that  the  County  should  aid  the  Department 
in  the  expense  incidental  to  maintaining  two  sessions  of  the 
school,  one  in  the  morning  for  boys  under  the  age  of  fourteen, 
and  another  in  the  afternoon  for  boys  between  fourteen  and 
sixteen.  The  reply  was  that  no  money  could  be  given  except  by 
means  of  an  appropriation  and  that  had  better  be  asked  for  next 
December.  The  Committee  was  working  earnestly  to  provide  a 
library  for  the  boys.  Patch-work  was  given  the  patients  at 
Dunning  and  Dr.  Kearney  said  it  had  given  employment  and 
pleasure  to  a  number  of  patients. 

October  23,  1895,  it  was  voted  that  Miss  Lathrop  and  Mrs. 
W.  I.  Thomas  send  to  the  County  Board  a  petition  in  the  name 
of  the  Philanthropy  Department  asking  that  when  practicable, 
dependent  children  be  placed  in  families  under  proper  condi- 
tions and  under  proper  supervision.  November  4,  1895,  Mrs. 
Conger  of  the  Philanthropy  Department  reported  that  her  Com- 
mittee with  others  had  seen  Mr.  Madden  in  the  summer  and  sub- 
mitted a  proposition  to  raise  $50,000  and  lend  it  to  the  City  with- 
out interest,  for  the  Bridewell.  This  offer  was  refused  by  the 
Finance  Committee,  but  he  promised  that  plans  should 
be  drawn  in  the  autumn  and  money  appropriated  in  January. 
The  Department  sent  invitations  to  the  justices  of  the  peace  to 
meet  with  them  and  talk  about  bettering  the  conditions  for  delin- 
quent children. 

December  23,  1896,  the  enforced  idleness  of  the  insane  was 
again  discussed  by  the  Reform  Department.  It  was  suggested 
that  kindergarten  be  held  in  the  Insane  Asylum.  The  Depart- 
ment voted  to  secure  the  services  of  a  kindergarten  teacher  at 
its  own  expense,  and  make  the  experiment  for  the  balance  of  the 
season.  The  kindergarten  was  opened  at  once  at  the  Insane 


162  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Asylum  and  all  children  under  five  years  were  removed  from  the 
institution.  January  2,  1897,  members  of  the  Department  visited 
the  Detention  Hospital  and  Insane  Asylum.  Three  boxes  of 
reading  matter  were  sent  during  the  month,  two  to  Dunning  and 
one  to  the  Cook  County  Hospital.  The  Department  reported 
further  at  the  annual  meeting  that  the  committee  to  secure  re- 
form in  laws  affecting  women  and  children  was  working  on  a 
bill  before  the  Legislature  to  regulate  the  employment  of  minors, 
known  as  the  "Child  Labor  Bill,"  endorsed  by  Florence 
Kelly,  State  Factory  Inspector;  Julia  Lathrop,  a  member 
of  the  State  Board  of  Charities,  and  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Steven- 
son, as  a  member  of  the  State  Board  of  Health.  Mrs.  Holt  and 
Mrs.  Joel  D.  Harvey  were  on  the  Board  of  the  Home  for 
Juvenile  Offenders.  The  Reform  Department  aided  in  the  agi- 
tation against  the  sale  of  liquor  to  minors,  the  manufacture  of 
cigarettes  and  their  sale  to  children.  The  large  number  of  chil- 
dren in  the  almshouse  was  a  source  of  much  anxiety,  and  the 
problem  was  whether  to  open  a  play-ground  and  start  a  kinder- 
garten for  their  benefit,  since  they  were  there  and  we  had  no 
power  to  remove  them,  or  to  leave  them  without  teaching  or 
healthful  recreation  to  the  evil  influences  of  the  place,  trying 
thus  to  force  legislative  action  against  their  presence  in  the  in- 
stitution. Six  years  ago  the  first  move  was  made  by  the  Reform 
Department  to  induce  the  city  to  provide  a  place  other  than  the 
Bridewell  for  boys  arrested  for  minor  offenses.  Through  the 
efforts  of  some  members  of  the  School  Board,  who  were  en- 
listed in  the  cause  by  Mrs.  Flower,  an  appropriation  of  $80,000.00 
of  school  funds  was  made  for  a  manual  training  school,  the 
building  being  erected  later. 

October  20,  1897,  the  Jail  School  Committee  reported  that 
the  Reform  Department  would  not  be  asked  this  year  to  pay  the 
expenses  of  the  jail  school,  as  the  Philanthropy  Department 
had  appointed  a  committee  to  visit  the  jail,  and  after  satisfying 
themselves  that  extra  work  would  be  needed,  visited  the  Sheriff 
and  asked  that  the  entire  salary  be  paid  by  the  County  Board. 
They  requested  that  the  teacher  be  made  an  appointee  of  the 
Sheriff  with  a  salary  of  $50  per  month.  If  this  did  not  prove 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  163 

satisfactory  at  the  end  of  the  year,  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  could  return  to  its  former  plan.  A  trial  of  calisthenics 
and  physical  exercises  was  made  under  the  direction  of  teachers 
from  the  Battle  Creek  Sanitarium.  In  pleading  for  the  perma- 
nence of  the  jail  school,  the  Sheriff  said  the  school  saved  the 
expense  of  a  guard,  whose  salary  was  one  thousand  dollars  a 
year.  The  petition  was  granted  and  the  Philanthropy  Depart- 
ment withdrew  from  further  assistance  in  that  specific  work. 
Plans  and  suggestions  of  the  Committee  were  being  used  by 
the  officials  in  building  the  new  dormitory  at  the  John  Worthy 
School.  Dr.  Stevenson  moved  that  the  sum  of  money  hitherto 
devoted  to  jail  school  should  be  used  for  Child  Saving.  This 
was  carried. 

January  22,  1896,  the  following  resolution  was  presented 
by  the  Education  Department,  it  having  been  unanimously 
adopted : 

Whereas :  The  Board  of  Education  of  the  City  of  Chicago, 
proposes  to  make  reduction  in  the  salaries  of  certain  classes  of 
teachers,  a  course  which  threatens  to  discourage  the  retaining 
or  securing  the  most  efficient  talent  in  the  profession  of  teaching. 

Resolved:  That  the  Education  Department  of  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  protests  against  action  so  inimical  to  the  best 
interests  of  the  public  schools  of  our  city. 

On  the  same  date  the  following  resolution  was  adopted  by 
the  Club : 

We,  the  members  of  the  Woman's  Club  of  Chicago,  desire 
that  the  public  schools  of  our  city  shall  be  maintained  at  the 
highest  practicable  standard. 

We  recognize  the  fact  that  in  order  to  do  this,  the  most 
efficient  teachers  are  needed,  and  to  secure  these,  salaries  must 
be  sufficient  and  secure. 

The  recent  act  of  the  Board  of  Education,  reducing  the  sal- 
aries of  teachers  and  principals  in  the  middle  of  a  school  year, 
will,  we  believe,  cripple  our  public  school  system  by  discourag- 
ing the  teachers,  by  rendering  them  unable  to  meet  financial 
obligations  incurred  upon  the  basis  of  the  old  salary,  by  under- 


164  ANNALS  OF  THE 

mining  their  feeling  of  security,  by  weakening  their  professional 
spirit.  We  therefore  respectfully  and  earnestly  beg  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Board  of  Education  to  reconsider  their  act. 

A  report  of  the  Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Chil- 
dren stated  that  the  Agency  was  started  in  1886  and  the  Bureau 
of  Justice  in  February  1888;  that  a  consolidation  of  the  two 
organizations  was  under  advisement.  Thanks  were  given  the 
departments  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  who  had  generously 
aided  the  Agency  since  its  inception.  The  annual  report  of  the 
Reform  Department  for  1897  for  the  year  also  stated  that  it 
had  fully  discussed  the  proposed  union  of  the  Bureau  of  Justice 
and  the  Protective  Agency;  that  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  Re- 
form Department  that  the  co-ordination  of  these  two  philan- 
thropic forces  would  be  a  benefit  to  the  city.  It  had  also  con- 
sidered the  forming  of  a  committee  on  municipal  reform,  to 
include  street  cleaning,  disposition  of  garbage  and  the  smoke 
nuisance. 

January  15,  1896,  the  Board  met  to  consider  a  proposition 
from  Mrs.  Henrotin  regarding  a  congress  of  city  clubs  to  con- 
sider the  condition  of  childhood  in  Chicago.  Mrs.  Henrotin 
stated  that  the  truancy  law  was  ineffectual  and  that  Illinois  was 
backward  in  the  treatment  of  delinquent  children.  At  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Club,  the  Board  was  instructed  to  communicate 
with  other  women's  organizations  of  this  city  and  ask  if  they 
would  unite  with  the  Woman's  Club  in  a  symposium  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  condition  of  child  life  in  Illinois.  January  24,  1896, 
it  was  voted  that  the  presidents  of  the  women's  clubs  in  Chi- 
cago and  vicinity  be  invited  to  meet  the  officers  of  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  to  consider  the  calling  of  a  convention  to  dis- 
cuss the  condition  of  child  life  in  Illinois,  and  movements  toward 
the  improvement  of  these  conditions.  The  President  chose  as 
the  date  of  meeting,  January  31,  1896.  As  an  outcome  of  this 
conference,  two  further  meetings  were  held  under  the  auspices 
of  the  women's  clubs  of  Chicago  on  "Child  Problems,"  May  9, 
2  P.  M.,  at  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  and  at  8  P.  M.  at  Central 
Music  Hall,  for  which  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  paid  the 
rental. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  165 

February  12,  1896,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Flower  was  appointed  a  dele- 
gate from  the  Club  to  the  proposed  federation  of  women's  clubs 
to  consider  the  child  problem.  February  19,  1896,  it  was  voted 
that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  appoint  a  committee  of  seven  to 
wait  upon  the  Finance  Committee  of  the  City  Council,  and  urge 
that  an  appropriation  be  made  for  the  building  of  a  dormitory 
for  boys  at  the  John  Worthy  School  at  the  Bridewell.  This 
committee  was  apjpointed  and  the  instructions  were  carried  out. 
A  committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Board 
of  Education  as  to  the  compulsory  education  law. 

January  8,  1896,  the  chairman  of  the  Art  and  Literature 
Department  requested  that  the  loan  exhibit  of  works  of  art 
be  allowed  to  remain  in  the  rooms  for  one  week,  and  asked  for 
the  use  of  the  rooms  Tuesday,  February  14,  for  an  evening  re- 
ception to  artists.  At  this  reception,  a  bronze  cast  of  the  Brown- 
ing hands  by  Harriet  Hosmer  was  presented  to  the  Club  as  the 
gift  of  Mrs.  Alexander  Adam.  The  presentation  was  made  by 
the  sculptor  herself,  who  in  her  address  recalled  many  delight- 
ful memories  of  the  Brownings,  and  disclosed  to  the  Club  the 
experiences  of  a  friendship  of  many  years. 

February  26,  1896,  a  committee  was  appointed  by  the  Art 
and  Literature  Department  to  report  on  the  feasibility  of  in- 
augurating the  study  of  and  the  writing  of  essays  in  the  public 
schools  of  Chicago,  upon  the  beautifying  and  improvement  of 
the  city.  At  a  business  meeting  of  the  Art  and  Literature  De- 
partment, February  27,  1896,  Mrs.  Gertrude  C.  Moore  proposed 
the  formation  of  a  music  study  class,  the  subject  to  be  the  evolu- 
tion of  music  from  its  beginning  to  the  present  day.  A  commit- 
tee of  seven  was  appointed,  each  member  to  take  charge  of  one 
programme.  At  the  suggestion  of  Mrs.  Moore,  Mrs.  Geo.  B.  Car- 
penter was  made  chairman. 

April  22,  1896,  the  Home  Department  stated  that  the  study 
of  municipal  government  had  been  chosen  for  the  coming  year 
and  that  the  subject  of  household  economics  would  be  continued. 
Under  the  auspices  of  the  Reform  Department,  Prof.  Charles 
R.  Henderson,  of  the  University  of  Chicago,  led  a  study  class 


166  ANNALS  OF  THE 

on  charities  and  criminology  in  the  autumn  of  1896. 
On  May  13,  1896,  a  committee  was  formed  with  Dr.  Sarah 
Hackett  Stevenson  as  chairman,  to  secure  training  schools  for 
nurses  in  connection  with  other  county  institutions  besides  Cook 
County  Hospital,  in  which  one  had  been  maintained  since  1881, 
by  the  Illinois  Training  School  for  Nurses. 

May  13,  1896,  a  committee  was  formed  to  protest  against 
the  use  of  police  stations  as  places  of  detention  for  the  insane 
awaiting  trial.  It  was  also  voted  that  the  Club  affiliate  with 
the  Model  Lodging  House  Association  by  the  appointment  of  six 
delegates. 

The  Social  Committee  of  the  Club  reported  at  the  annual 
meeting  May  18,  1895,  that  652  guests  had  been  entertained 
during  the  year,  251  of  whom  had  been  visitors  to  our  city  from 
other  states  and  foreign  countries.  Among  the  guests  were 
Maud  Ballington  Booth,  Susan  B.  Anthony  and  Harriet  Hosmer. 
An  attempt  toward  hospitality  had  been  made  in  the  proffered 
cup  of  tea  with  sandwiches  after  each  regular  meeting  of  the 
year.  The  Committee  entertained  at  luncheon  on  Founders' 
Day,  February  21,  1895 ;  luncheon  was  also  served  on  October 
11,  1894,  for  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  delegates  from  the 
federated  clubs,  who  came  to  our  city  in  response  to  Mrs. 
Henrotin's  invitation  to  consider  state  federation.  On  Founders' 
Day  400  members  of  the  Club  were  seated  at  small  tables  in 
the  audience  room,  at  15  Washington  street,  the  President  and 
founders  at  a  table  on  the  platform.  March  4,  1896,  the 
President  introduced  Susan  B.  Anthony,  who  briefly  ad- 
dressed the  Club.  She  commended  the  women  for  the  work  they 
were  doing,  and  urged  them  to  still  greater  endeavor,  reminding 
them  that  the  benefits  they  enjoyed  today  had  grown  out  of  the 
efforts  of  the  pioneers.  April  1,  1896,  the  Club  conferred  hon- 
orary membership  upon  Miss  Anthony.  December  9,  of  the 
same  year,  Clara  Barton  was  made  an  honorary  member 
and  Fannie  Bloomfield  Zeisler  was  elected  March  10,  1897. 

At  the  following  annual  meeting,  the  Social  Committee 
again  reported  that  tea  was  served  at  each  literary  programme, 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  167 

and  a  reception  was  given  in  January  in  honor  of  the  Club 
President;  1,056  guests  from  Europe,  Asia,  Africa  and  America 
had  been  entertained  as  was  attested  by  guest  tickets  from 
Copenhagen,  Glasgow,  Constantinople  and  Bailunda,  South 
Africa.  June  4,  1896,  it  was  voted  to  continue  the  teas  after 
literary  and  business  meetings,  at  proposed  Saturday  receptions 
and  that  members  be  permitted  to  bring  guests  to  the  Saturday 
social  meetings.  November  11,  1896,  each  Department  was 
asked  to  appoint  from  four  to  six  members  to  assist  the  Social 
Committee  of  the  Club.  February  10,  1897,  a  letter  to  the 
Board  was  read  from  Francis  W.  Parker  asking  that  the  Club 
rooms  be  given  to  the  Child  Study  Congress  May  1,  which  was 
granted.  April  20,  the  rooms  were  given  for  a  lecture  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  by  Helen 
Dawes  Brown,  on  the  Rubaiyat  of  Omar  Khayyam. 

The  annual  report  of  the  Recording  Secretary  May  20, 
1896,  summarizes  the  work  of  the  Departments  and  the  Club  as 
follows:  The  Reform  Department  states  that  supervision  has 
been  exercised  over  the  county  institutions  where  the  insane  and 
the  poor  find  a  permanent  home,  that  no  abuses  be  allowed  to 
creep  in,  for  it  is  easy  to  grow  accustomed  to  the  conditions  of 
distress  and  sorrow,  and  the  sympathies  too  often  become 
blunted.  From  time  to  time  the  members  have  visited  the 
County  Jail,  where  the  Reform  Department  maintains  a  school 
for  boys,  under  the  efficient  and  kindly  leadership  of  Miss  Flor- 
ence Haythorn.  It  has  been  the  desire  of  the  Art  and  Liter- 
ature Department  to  gather  examples  of  painting  and  sculpture 
and  bring  to  the  Club  ideals  of  form  and  color,  delightfully  re- 
lieving the  monotony  of  unremitting  toil,  which  is  so  character- 
istic of  our  organization.  As  a  result  of  the  demands  upon  our 
charity  succeeding  the  World's  Fair  the  activities  of  the  Model 
Workshop  and  Lodging  House  Association  are  still  carried  on 
by  many  members  of  our  Club.  Its  aims  have  been  changed 
somewhat,  its  uses  restricted,  but  it  still  looks  to  the  relief  of 
helpless  women  who  need  employment.  The  members  of  the 
Philanthropy  Department  have  visited  police  stations,  where  in- 
nocent women  and  children  are  sometimes  held.  They  have 


168  ANNALS  OF  THE 

inquired  into  the  qualifications  of  police  matrons,  who  have 
temporary  charge  of  these  unfortunates  and  urged  kindly  treat- 
ment and  consideration  for  the  guilty  as  well  as  the  guiltless. 
They  have  also  suggested  that  needy  children  be  placed  as  far 
as  possible  in  homes  rather  than  in  institutions,  as  the  influence 
of  the  hearthstone  is  more  conducive  to  the  better  unfolding  of 
the  child.  During  the  past  year  another  organization  has  been 
developed  by  our  members.  It  has  been  named  the  Chicago 
Political  Equality  League.  Its  object  is  to  promote  the  study  of 
political  science  and  foster  and  extend  the  political  rights  and 
privileges  of  women.  Delegates  have  been  sent  to  represent  us 
at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  State  Federation  and  to  the  biennial 
meeting  of  the  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs ;  six  dele- 
gates to  the  Model  Workshop  and  Lodging  House  Association; 
one  delegate  to  the  Convention  of  Charities  and  Correction  held 
at  Grand  Rapids.  With  the  present  year  we  took  upon  our- 
selves a  new  name,  believing  that  "woman"  had  a  broader  signi- 
ficance than  "women,"  and  so  we  were  newly  christened  "The 
Chicago  Woman's  Club." 

At  the  adjourned  annual  meeting  June  3,  1896,  a  letter  was 
presented  from  the  employees  of  Marshall  Field  &  Co.,  asking 
for  the  interest  and  co-operation  of  the  Club  in  the  closing 
of  retail  dry  goods  stores  on  Saturday  afternoons  during  June, 
July  and  August. 

The  Chair  spoke  of  a  proposed  building  to  be  erected  for 
the  Club  if  desired.  Several  sites  and  buildings  were  considered 
at  different  times  during  the  Club  year. 

The  Chair  appointed  a  Committee  of  five  women  to  arrange 
for  a  mass  meeting  to  consider  plans  for  permanent  quarters,  Dr. 
Bedell  as  Chairman.  The  Permanent  Rooms  Committee  tried  to 
interest  other  clubs  to  the  end  of  obtaining  a  permanent  Club 
home,  the  project  was  abandoned  as  too  difficult  of  accomplish- 
ment and  May  11,  1898,  it  was  voted  that  we  lease  rooms  in  the 
Studebaker  Building  in  Michigan  Avenue  for  three  years. 

An  educational  congress  was  held  May  13-16,  1896.  Dr. 
G.  Stanley  Hall,  President  of  Clark  University,  lectured  on  May 
16,  in  the  Woman's  Club  rooms. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  169 

The  Club  membership  in  1896  was  750. 

During  the  month  of  November,  1898,  511  women  were  re- 
ceived at  the  Model  Workshop  and  Lodging  House.  The  sewing 
room  was  self-supporting  for  the  first  time.  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett 
Stevenson  reported  in  1900:  "The  Woman's  Club  has  received 
the  credit  for  the  initiation  of  the  Model  Lodging  House.  In 
a  city  of  two  million,  there  must  be  many  women  above  the  poor- 
house  and  police  station  occupant  who  find  themselves  tempo- 
rarily stranded.  It  is  for  this  class  the  Model  Lodging  House, 
253  Ewing  Street,  was  founded."  It  is  now  known  as  the  Sarah 
Hackett  Stevenson  Memorial ;  it  was  through  her  that  the  work 
was  established.  In  1913,  three  buildings  were  donated,  2410-12- 
14  Prairie  Avenue. 

The  Students'  Reference  Bureau  in  making  its  third  an- 
nual report  was  gratified  to  be  able  to  say  that  the  receipts  which 
had  steadily  increased  from  year  to  year  had  this  year  more  than 
doubled  in  amount.  The  Bureau  was  not  a  money  making 
scheme,  nor  was  it  designed  to  be  from  the  first,  but  it  deserved 
to  be  recognized  as  a  not  unimportant  factor  in  the  altruistic 
movements  to  aid  women  in  their  efforts  to  gain  a  more  com- 
plete and  intelligent  understanding  of  the  questions  of  the  day. 
The  work  was  of  slow  growth  but  from  multitudes  of 
letters  received  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  it  was  evident 
that  it  was  one  greatly  needed  and  was  hailed  with  delight  by 
many  women  living  in  towns  remote  from  libraries,  as  well  as 
by  the  "over-clubbed"  women  of  our  modern  cities. 

The  class  in  English  prose  fiction  of  the  Art  and  Literature 
Department  had  its  first  meeting  October  7,  1896,  with  an  at- 
tendance of  100.  The  class  studying  the  evolution  of  music 
began  its  regular  sessions  October  14. 

November  11,  1896,  the  Reform  Department  reported  the 
sending  of  a  committee  to  visit  Major  McClaughry,  relative  to 
the  appointment  of  women  as  teachers  at  Pontiac  Reformatory; 
also  the  appointment  of  a  committee  looking  toward  the  enforce- 
ment of  the  law  prohibiting  the  sale  of  liquor  to  minors. 

On  the  same  date  the  Education  Department  reported  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  consisting  of  Mrs.  Putnam,  Miss 


170  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Summers  and  Miss  Snively  to  co-operate  with  committees  from 
the  Board  of  Education,  the  Teachers'  Club,  the  Education  De- 
partment of  the  City  Federation  and  the  Committee  of  Sixty,  for 
the  promotion  of  field  work  in  nature  study  in  the  public  schools. 
The  Department  reported  December  9,  18%,  the  following 
resolution  which  was  submitted  by  a  committee  which  had 
been  instructed  to  make  an  investigation: 

Whereas:  It  has  been  ascertained  on  good  authority  that 
the  rules  of  the  Board  of  Education  require  the  washing  of 
school  room  floors  and  windows  only  twice  a  year,  your  com- 
mittee feels  that  the  time  has  come  when  all  who  have  at  heart 
the  sanitary  condition  and  common  cleanliness  of  our  school 
houses  should. unite  in  a  request  that  the  Board  of  Education 
make  better  provision  in  this  most  important  matter,  we  there- 
fore request  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  to  aid  the  Education  Department,  by  appointing  a  new  com- 
mittee to  include  a  representative  from  each  Department,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  thoroughly  investigate  the  question  and  re- 
port to  the  Club  at  the  next  fourth  Wednesday  meeting. 

The  Education  Department  gave  two  receptions  to  the 
public  school  teachers  of  Chicago,  the  first  on  January  5,  when 
the  teachers  of  the  grammar  grades  were  the  guests.  The 
second  reception  was  given  in  honor  of  the  primary  and  high 
school  teachers  of  the  city.  On  April  14,  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  co-operate  in  the  effort  to  furnish  school  children 
with  pure  water.  In  1897,  the  Education  Department  devoted 
its  energy  to  forming  a  closer  connection  between  the  Public 
Library  and  the  Public  Schools.  The  Department  reported  a 
resolution  passed  February  10,  1897,  recommending  to  the 
Mayor  that  the  Police  Relief  Fund  be  used  to  clean  the  streets 
and  school  buildings,  the  work  to  be  given  to  men  and  women 
who  apply  for  relief,  and  who  are  able  to  do  the  work.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  present  the  matter  also  to  the  Civic 
Federation  and  to  the  Board  of  Charities.  On  January  13, 
1897,  the  Chairman  of  the  Education  Department  requested  time 
on  the  fourth  Wednesday  programme  to  discuss  the  following 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  171 

matters:  A  bill  for  compulsory  education  to  be  presented  to 
the  legislature,  Mrs.  Flower  to  present  the  text,  and  persons 
invited  from  outside  clubs  to  speak  on  the  subject  and  the  matter 
of  adequate  school  provision  for  defective  children  to  be  pre- 
sented by  Miss  Summers  and  Dr.  Julia  Holmes  Smith.  On 
February  3,  1897,  a  special  meeting  of  the  Club  was  ordered 
for  the  discussion  of  the  Dependent  Children's  Bill  and  Bill  on 
Child  Labor. 

March  31,  1897,  the  Club  devoted  an  afternoon  to  the  con- 
sideration of  birds  and  their  value.  The  Audubon  Society  was 
invited  to  attend  and  the  principal  speaker  was  Mrs.  Sarah  A. 
Hubbard.  At  the  close  of  the  program  the  following  resolu- 
tions was  adopted: 

Whereas :  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  is  convinced  that  the 
reckless  slaughter  of  wild  birds  which  is  now  going  on  to  such 
an  extent  as  to  threaten  the  extinction  of  bird  life,  can  be  finally 
stopped  by  the  general  refusal  of  women  to  wear  wild  birds  and 
their  plumage  as  ornaments  or  trimmings,  and  believes  that  such 
action  on  the  part  of  women  can  be  secured  if  they  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  facts  which  underly  the  traffic  in  birds  and 
their  plumage. 

Therefore,  be  it  Resolved :  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
will  use  its  earnest  efforts  to  create  a  settled  public  opinion 
adverse  to  the  bird-wearing  fashion,  and 

Be  it  further  Resolved:  That  the  Club  shall  through  its. 
proper  officials  request  the  Illinois  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs  and  the  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs  to  arrange 
for  the  discussion  of  the  subject  of  the  protection  of  birds,  at 
their  next  state  and  national  conventions,  and  also  to  encour- 
age as  best  they  can  all  clubs  to  take  up  the  matter  at  home ;  and 

Be  it  further  Resolved:  That  these  resolutions  be  spread 
upon  the  records  of  this  Club,  and  that  copies  of  them  be  sent 
to  the  secretaries  and  the  program  committees  of  the  Illinois 
and  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs. 

In  her  address  of  May  20,  1896,  Mrs.  Lydia  Avery  Coonley, 
the  President,  said :  "Would  it  not  be  well  to  allow  departments 


172  ANNALS  OF  THE 

to  draw  upon  the  general  treasury  for  a  certain  annual  sum  to 
carry  on  their  work,  instead  of  levying  independent  taxes  ?  For, 
however  we  may  define  and  explain  these  definite  sums  we  are 
pressed  to  give,  they  are  taxes.  It  seems  to  me  not  quite  fair 
that  departments  differentiate  themselves  in  this  manner.  We 
should  unify  our  interests.  When  we  cease  to  be  one  club  and 
become  six  clubs,  we  lose  the  strength  of  unity.  Our  work 
would  be  incomplete  were  any  of  our  six  departments  cut  off, 
yet  I  think  there  is  danger  of  losing  the  realization  that  we  are 
members  of  one  body  and  of  magnifying  the  separate  members. 
Our  interests  should  not  be  divided.  Some  departments  have 
been  forced  to  ask  many  dollars  from  each  member,  while  the 
work  of  others  is  largely  self-centered  and  needs  little  money. 
But  we  all  belong  to  the  Woman's  Club,  and  we  should  all  have 
part  in  all  its  work.  *  *  *  I  believe  I  favor  an  annual  due  in- 
creased by  one  or  two  dollars  to  meet  department  work.  I  think  this 
general  addition  would  be  better  and  fairer  than  the  present 
system.  My  fourth  suggestion  touches  department  work.  I 
wish  our  Education  Department  would  secure  labelling  of  trees 
and  shrubs  in  our  parks  with  botanical  and  also  with  common 
names.  It  would  be  a  simple  method  of  diffusing  education." 

April  14,  1897,  an  amendment  was  passed,  substituting 
$12.00  for  $10.00  annual  dues,  adding  "two  dollars  per  capita 
shall  be  apportioned  to  the  work  of  the  Departments."  It  was 
also  voted  that  the  extra  work  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary 
be  given  to  the  Business  Woman's  Exchange,  which  developed 
later  into  the  School  of  Domestic  Arts  and  Science. 

In  the  annual  address  of  the  President,  Elizabeth  H.  Ball, 
April  28,  1897,  may  be  read:  "As  to  what  the  Club  has  done 
for  our  women,  we  all  know  that  it  has  awakened  a  new  sense 
of  the  meaning  of  life,  and  of  the  value  of  time.  It  has  been 
a  powerful  agent  in  the  broadening  of  women's  minds  and  hearts 
and  in  enlarging  their  aims.  It  has  brought  about  the  solidarity 
of  women  as  no  other  force  could  have  done.  The  Club  has 
been  an  educator.  It  has  not  given  the  training  of  the  universi- 
ties— the  training  based  on  the  popular  fallacy  that  all  things 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  173 

worth  knowing  are  to  be  found  in  books — but  it  has  given  the 
education  that  develops  and  enriches  the  personality  of  the  in- 
dividual— the  broader,  better  education  of  practical  life.  Not 
the  least  among  the  benefits  of  club  life  is  what  has  been  called 
the  'contagion  of  personality' — the  contact  of  the  inexperienced 
with  the  experienced.  Here,  people  are  brought  together  who 
would  never  meet  in  any  other  way — -those  whom  the  ordinary 
forces  of  environment  would  tend  to  separate  rather  than  unite, 
and  what  is  the  result?  The  society  woman  discovers  that  the 
business  woman  does  not  necessarily  lose  all  social  graces,  when 
from  force  of  circumstances  she  enters  the  arena  to  compete 
with  her  brother ;  and  in  turn,  the  business  woman  finds  that  the 
society  leader  is  not,  of  necessity,  a  frivolous  creature,  given 
over  entirely  to  the  foibles  of  fashionable  life.  She  finds  that 
likenesses  are  more  than  differences,  and  that  the  classifica- 
tions she  has  been  prone  to  make  are  based  on  false  premises. 
So  the  Club  has  given  a  clearer  sense  of  the  true  values,  and 
has  been  a  most  potent  factor  in  breaking  down  social  barriers." 

November  10,  1897,  a  letter  was  read  from  the  State  Fed- 
eration accepting  the  invitation  to  meet  in  Chicago  for  its  next 
convention.  Mrs.  Huddleston  reported  having  written  to  39 
clubs  in  regard  to  arrangements  for  the  Federation  meeting  in 
1898,  _  and  that  thirteen  had  responded.  All  expressed  them- 
selves ready  to  do  anything  required.  A  small  executive  com- 
mittee would  be  formed  from  these  clubs.  The  plan  was  ap- 
proved. February  9,  1898,  Mrs.  Huddleston,  chairman  of  Con- 
mittee  on  Arrangements  for  the  State  Federation  Convention, 
stated  that  $1,500.00  would  be  needed  for  the  work.  This 
amount  had  been  apportioned  among  the  various  clubs  and 
the  share  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  would  be  $200.  She 
further  stated  that  Central  Music  Hall  had  been  engaged,  that 
members  of  the  Woman's  Club  were  prepared  to  entertain  dele- 
gates, and  asked  that  the  Club  rooms  be  granted  as  Federation 
headquarters. 

December  8,  1897,  Dr.  Stevenson  was  given  the  use  of  the 
Club  rooms  for  a  proposed  lecture  by  Miss  Jane  Addams  on 


174  ANNALS  OF  THE 

"Tolstoi,"  the  proceeds  to  go  to  the  support  of  the  Model  Lodg- 
ing House. 

A  conference  on  manual  training  was  held  December  11, 
1897,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Committee  on  Manual  Training. 

December  8,  1897,  the  President  suggested  the  advisability  of 
calling  a  conference  of  officers  of  other  working  clubs  to  con- 
sider the  enforcement  of  the  Compulsory  Education  Law.  The 
call  was  sent  to  nine  organizations.  The  committee  was  com- 
posed of  one  delegate  from  each  of  the  active  clubs  of  Cook 
County.  Mrs.  Flower  had  in  her  possession  about  $100  which 
could  be  used  in  the  work  of  testing  the  law.  Miss  Summers 
promised  to  report  cases  of  truancy.  May  25,  1898,  Miss  Sum- 
mers spoke  on  behalf  of  the  work  of  the  Compulsory  Education 
Committee,  stating  that  Mrs.  Flower  as  Chairman  had  worked 
for  this  cause  for  ten  years  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Plummer  had 
aided  for  the  past  six  months.  A  test  case  had  come  up  and  it 
was  very  important  that  delegates  should  be  sent  to  serve  on 
the  Committee  without  restrictions.  Mrs.  Flower  and  Mrs. 
Plummer  were  named  as  the  delegates. 

The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  tendered  an  afternoon  recep- 
tion to  the  Baroness  Bertha  Von  Buelow,  April  30,  1897. 

March  10,  1897,  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  enter- 
tained at  a  reception  the  artists  and  literary  people  of  the  city. 
October  27,  1897,  Miss  McDougal  reported  lists  of  guests  to 
the  reception  and  notes  of  acceptance  and  regrets  which  had 
been  kept;  she  suggested  that  such  communications  would  be 
interesting  to  the  Department  and  should  be  preserved.  They 
are  in  the  files  of  the  Club.  February  3,  1898,  was  chosen  as  the 
day  for  a  reception  at  the  Art  Institute. 

The  Department  appointed  a  committee  to  take  charge  of  a 
children's  Christmas  entertainment  and  voted  $100.00  toward 
making  the  children's  festival  an  annual  affair,  and  to  assume 
all  responsibilities  connected  with  it,  the  proceeds  to  be  used  in 
giving  the  people  of  social  settlements  some  of  the  pleasure  and 
profit  to  be  derived  from  good  music  and  pictures,  and  to  give  the 
children  some  of  the  more  spiritual  ideas  connected  with  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  175 

celebration  of  Christmas.  On  February  23,  1898,  Mrs.  Cox  re- 
ported for  the  Entertainment  Committee  that  the  net  receipts 
from  the  "Children's  Messiah"  were  $214.40. 

Frederick  Grant  Gleason  spoke  before  the  Music  Study 
Class  at  its  December  meeting.  Mr.  Kemys,  the  sculptor  of 
the  American  animals  in  the  World's  Fair  Court  of  Honor, 
lectured  before  the  Art  Class  upon  the  inspiration  and  difficul- 
ties of  his  art,  which  he  illustrated  by  modeling  a  mountain 
lion.  The  Art  Class  at  one  of  the  meetings  saw  etchers  at 
work.  A  letter  was  read  from  the  young  man  whose  tuition 
at  the  Art  Institute  was  paid  by  the  department  during  the 
previous  year.  "He  expressed  gratitude  for  help  given,  his  abil- 
ity to  do  without  the  stipend  this  year,  and  his  hope  of  re-paying 
his  debt  to  us,  by  helping  someone  in  the  future  who  might 
need  help,  as  he  did  last  year.  Word  came  also  from  a  young 
woman  in  the  University  of  Chicago,  whom  we  helped  to  the  ex- 
tent of  fifty  dollars,  that  she  was  anxious  to  repay ;  thus  showing 
that  both  were  most  appreciative  of  the  aid  given  them."  Signa- 
tures were  secured  to  a  petition  to  the  Board  of  Education 
asking  to  have  the  walls  of  school  rooms  tinted. 

The  Club  rooms  were  used  May  27,  28,  29  and  30,  1898,  for 
examination  of  candidates  for  Bryn  Mawr  College.  It  was 
planned  to  hold  a  conference  in  March,  1898,  with  delegates  from 
all  active  clubs  in  the  city,  to  take  the  place  of  Reciprocity  Day, 
as  observed  by  other  clubs ;  it  was  recommended  by  the  program 
committee  that  the  fifth  Wednesday  in  March  be  devoted  to  the 
discussion  of  dependent  children,  and  representatives  of  other 
women's  clubs  be  invited  to  be  with  us,  either  to  present  the  sub- 
ject or  to  listen  to  its  presentation  by  competent  speakers.  The 
Chair  stated  that  it  had  not  been  her  wish  to  devote  this  day  to 
the  matter  of  dependent  children  alone,  but  to  the  formation  of  a 
Cook  County  Federation,  the  invitation  to  come  from  the  Board 
of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  to  the  boards  of  other  clubs. 
March  16,  1898,  the  President  was  authorized  to  call  a  meeting 
of  the  officers  and  boards  of  other  Cook  County  clubs  in  the 
Woman's  Club  rooms  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  county  fed- 


176  ANNALS  OF  THE 

eration.     In  1899,  the  new  league  was  reported  at  the  annual 
meeting  as  follows : 

The  League  of  Cook  County  Clubs  was  organized  April 
22,  1898,  thirty-one  delegates  present.  The  object  of  the  league 
is  to  expedite  the  work  which  is  of  common  interest  to  all 
clubs,  and  to  bring  influence  to  bear  upon  all  questions  affecting 
the  educational  and  moral  welfare  of  the  city  and  county.  The 
work  is  divided  among  four  committees:  educational,  civics, 
club  extension  and  press.  The  moral  and  financial  support  of 
all  literary,  musical  or  art  clubs  is  desired  for  the  success  of 
the  league,  for  questions  affecting  county  and  city  advancement 
will  in  a  measure  depend  upon  the  amount  of  support  given  it 
by  the  clubs,  whose  plan  of  work  prevents  their  becoming  active 
members. 

The  delegates  of  the  League  of  Cook  County  Clubs  were 
requested  to  urge  their  clubs  to  endorse  the  Parental  or  Truant 
School  Bill ;  also  to  visit  the  cooking  schools  and  report  to  the 
clubs,  in  order  to  bring  influence  to  bear  to  retain  sewing  and 
cooking  in  the  public  schools;  to  encourage  the  forming  of 
play  grounds  wherever  needed,  and  to  secure  the  entire  separa- 
tion of  the  John  Worthy  School  and  dormitories  from  the 
Bridewell  and  the  introduction  of  reformatory  methods  in  deal- 
ing with  juveniles.  A  letter  was  prepared  to  be  sent  to  the  Mayor 
and  Board  of  Education  covering  all  of  the  important  points 
along  educational  lines  in  the  schools  and  Board  of  Education, 
which  have  been  occupying  the  minds  of  all  at  the  present  time, 
including  the  extension  of  the  kindergarten  and  the  unification 
of  kindergarten  teaching ;  also  the  recommendation  that  a  kinder- 
garten training  department  be  added  to  the  Normal  School. 

In  February,  1898,  the  Philanthropy  and  Reform  Depart- 
ments passed  a  resolution  asking  the  board  to  form  a  standing 
committee  on  civics,  consisting  of  six  members  from  each  depart- 
ment. March  30,  1898,  Miss  Lathrop  moved  that  a  resolution 
be  sent  to  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  from  the  Reform  and 
Philanthropy  Departments,  asking  the  Club  to  espouse  the  work 
of  compulsory  education,  and  a  parental  school  to  be  under- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  177 

taken  by  the  entire  Club,  as  part  of  its  work.  In  April,  a  joint 
committee  was  appointed  from  the  Reform  and  Philanthropy 
Departments,  Julia  C.  Lathrop,  chairman.  The  first  work  which 
claimed  the  attention  of  this  committee  was  probation  care  for 
children  in  police  stations.  Much  was  accomplished  in  pre- 
ventive work  during  the  year  that  followed.  The  new  Jail 
School  Committee,  with  Mary  E.  Holmes  as  chairman,  entered 
upon  the  work  with  enthusiasm.  There  was  no  vacation  in 
the  school  during  the  summer,  250  boys  being  under  instruc- 
tion. It  was  reported  that  the  words  "Cell-House"  had  been 
placed  upon  the  boys'  dormitories,  the  erection  of  which  was 
secured  through  the  efforts  of  members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club.  It  was  the  wish  of  the  Education  Department  that  the 
authorities  be  asked  to  remove  them. 

Judge  Tuthill  expressed  the  opinion  that  the  work  of  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club  in  the  jail  school,  its  agitation  for  bet- 
ter conditions  for  the  neglected  boys  and  the  meetings  arranged 
by  us  to  discuss  their  needs,  and  especially  our  records  of  these 
boys,  led  by  gradual  steps  to  the  establishment  of  the  Juvenile 
Court.  It  was  the  beginning  of  constructive  work  for  the  ne- 
glected boys.  The  committee,  led  by  Mmes.  Flower,  Perry 
Smith  and  Hancock,  stood  by  that  work,  and  secured  permission 
from  the  State's  Attorney,  Mr.  Longenecker,  to  have  one  judge 
hold  a  morning  session  once  a  week,  every  Friday  morning,  for 
the  boys  only;  Judge  Tuthill  was  the  one  appointed;  Miss 
Haythorn  brought  her  records  to  the  court,  she  having  inves- 
tigated every  phase  of  each  case,  members  of  the  committee 
accompanying  her. 

Julia  C.  Lathrop,  in  a  letter  dated  October  30,  1915,  says: 
Mrs.  Flower  was  one  of  the  most  active  persons  in  all  the 
work  which  led  to  the  creation  of  the  Juvenile  Court,  the  St. 
Charles  School,  the  early  management  of  the  Detention  Home, 
the  financing  of  the  probation  officers.  Mrs.  Henrotin,  Miss 
Addams  and  Mrs.  H.  Solomon,  were  on  all  the  committees,  as 
I  recall.  Of  course,  we  always  realize  that  the  Juvenile  Court 
was  a  slow  growth,  and  that  the  earlier  women  who  got  the 
police  matrons  and  the  jail  school  made  the  preliminary  foray." 


178  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Mrs.  Bradford  Hancock  writes  March  1,  1916:  "The  Re- 
form Department  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  took  charge 
of  the  Cook  County  Jail  School  in  February,  1892.  They  as- 
sumed the  salary  of  the  teacher.  The  first  commit- 
tees from  the  department  to  assist  the  teacher  and  visit  the 
school  was  composed  of  Mrs.  Perry  H.  Smith,  chairman;  Mrs. 
A.  A.  Carpenter,  Mrs.  Ida  Edwards  Keen,  Miss  Mary  Tenney, 
Mrs.  Bradford  Hancock  and  Dr.  Julia  Holmes  Smith.  The 
school  session  was  from  9:30  to  11:30  a.  m.,  held  in  the  cor- 
ridor of  the  old  jail.  The  attendance  ranged  from  fifteen  to 
fifty  boys;  average  for  the  year  twenty-five;  ages  from  ten 
to  sixteen  years.  For  the  first  time  the  boys  were  separated 
from  the  older  prisoners.  The  cells  and  corridors  were  cleaned. 
Miss  Haythorn's  afternoons  were  spent  in  court  with  the  boys  or 
in  visiting  their  homes.  She  did  the  work  of  a  probation  officer. 
It  was  through  this  committee  that  the  first  Thanksgiving  dinner 
was  given  to  the  boys,  followed  by  a  program  of  music  and  recita- 
tions. Through  the  investigating  of  records  kept,  and  the  agita- 
tion of  this  committee  for  separation  of  the  boys  from  the 
men,  started  the  thought  of  the  Juvenile  Court.  When  Mrs. 
Perry  Smith  resigned,  Mrs.  Hancock  was  made  chairman,  and 
later  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Holmes  and  Mrs.  E.  A.  Schoyer  held  that 
office.  Many  earnest  and  able  women  served  on  that  committee." 

Mrs.  Florence  Haythorn  Jewell  writes,  March  3,  1916, 
at  the  request  of  the  History  Committee: 

"During  the  Congress  of  Religions  held  during  the  World's 
Fair,  1893,  Dr.  Henderson  arranged  for  me  to  speak  at  one  of 
the  sessions,  and  it  was  then  announced  that  our  jail  school  was 
the  only  one  of  its  kind  in  the  world.  Many  of  the  boys  we 
had  enrolled  are  doing  well.  One  boy,  whom  we  arranged  for 
to  go  to  Wisconsin  on  a  farm,  became  interested  in  horses  and 
has  married  and  is  located  on  a  farm  he  is  paying  for.  Another 
boy  is  with  one  of  the  big  mercantile  houses  in  Chicago,  holding 
a  responsible  position,  with  the  same  firm  we  placed  him  in 
when  he  left  the  jail.  A  third  boy  has  been  with  one  of  the 
big  railroads,  where  he  began  cleaning  cattle  cars;  is  earning 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  179 

$5  a  day  in  the  mechanical  department  and  has  perfected  a 
patent  which  the  railroad  is  adopting.  There  are  other  cases, 
which  we  were  able  to  look  after,  when  placing  the  boys ;  almost 
all  of  them  proved  successful. 

"The  first  day  Judge  Tuthill  was  assigned  to  try  boys'  cases 
only  in  a  session  of  his  court,  the  school  records  were  used,  and 
I  was  asked  to  sit  by  the  judge  and  tell  him  of  each  boy's  case 
as  he  was  brought  in  for  trial;  the  investigation  made  by  me 
was  accepted.  Members  of  the  committee  were  also  present. 
Over  and  over,  Judge  Tuthill  and  others  have  said  our  records, 
our  investigations,  the  work  of  the  committee  helped  start  the 
Juvenile  Court.  Rev.  John  Chattin,  visiting  the  jail  for  the 
Episcopal  Church,  felt  the  need  of  a  home  for  the  boys  on 
being  discharged  from  the  jail;  through  his  help  with  the  teacher 
we  started  a  home  in  Austin ;  later  it  was  moved  to  Chicago,  and 
is  now  known  as  the  'Laurence  Hall.'  When  we  began  the 
jail  school,  the  jailer,  guards  and  State's  Attorney,  had  little 
faith  we  could  do  anything,  but  they  admitted  the  school  did 
do  things  in  the  right  direction,  as  we  began  to  work  out  plans. 
Much  detail  could  be  written  of  the  jail  school,  as  conducted 
by  the  Woman's  Club,  but  the  best  work  accomplished  was 
the  demonstration,  that  a  Juvenile  Court  was  necessary." 

Judge  Richard  H.  Tuthill  writes  February  9,  1916:  "I 
give  you  a  few  words  from  my  memories  of  the  work  done  by 
the  Woman's  Club  of  Chicago  in  providing  care  for  children. 
The  work  of  this  noble  organization  was  initial,  persistent  and 
effective.  Well  do  I  remember  how  many  years  ago,  when  it 
became  my  turn  to  hold  the  Criminal  Court,  I  first  visited  the 
jail  and  found  the  cells  of  the  old  jail  filled  with  boys,  some  of 
them  under  what  was  then  called  the  age  of  criminal  respon- 
sibility, ten  years.  I  requested  the  State's  Attorney  to  have 
a  calendar  of  all  the  boys'  cases  made  out  for  me,  telling  him 
that  I  wished  to  dispose  of  their  cases  before  I  began  on  the 
adults.  *  *  *  Mrs.  Lucy  L.  Flower,  Mrs.  Perry  H.  Smith 
and  others,  whose  names  must  appear  on  the  records  of  the 
Club,  at  once  set  to  work  to  do  what  could  be  done  to  improve 


180  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  situation.  The  Club,  or  certain  members  of  the  Club  it 
may  be,  asked  if  they  could  not  be  permitted  to  employ  at  their 
own  expense  a  teacher  to  go  every  day  to  the  boys  in  the  jail, 
talk  to  them  and  teach  them.  Of  course,  they  were  given  per- 
mission. The  Club  thereupon  employed  and  paid  for  some  two 
or  three  years  a  young  lady  who  gave  her  service  in  behalf  of 
the  little  children  in  the  jail  every  day.  No  more  loving  and 
inspiring  work  was  ever  done  by  woman. 

From  that  time  the  Club's  work  for  the  children  was  unin- 
terrupted and  wonderfully  efficient.  That  was,  indeed,  the  be- 
ginning. Then  came  the  work  of  providing  a  place  other  than 
the  noisome  cells,  police  stations,  the  jail  and  the  House  of  Cor- 
rection, which  were  in  reality  mere  schools  for  the  education 
of  children  in  the  ways  of  crime  and  every  vicious  and  wicked 
thing.  The  women  of  the  Woman's  Club  of  Chicago  suggested 
and  largely  aided  in  the  establishment  of  the  Parental  School, 
where  the  truants,  who  could  not  be  kept  in  the  public  and 
parochial  schools,  could  be  safely  kept  and  cared  for. 

Then  came  the  agitation  for  a  school  on  an  unoccupied  part 
of  the  grounds  of  the  House  of  Correction,  which  would  give 
to  the  boys  too  old  for  the  Parental  School  a  place  where  they 
could  be  taught,  not  merely  the  rudiments  of  a  common  school 
education,  but  manual  training  in  a  well-equipped  manual  train- 
ing department.  This  school  was  named  the  John  Worthy  School 
in  honor  of  the  husband  of  one  of  the  members  of  the  Woman's 
Club.  True,  it  was  not  ideally  located,  but  it  was  an  approach 
to  heaven,  compared  to  what  had  preceded  it. 

Then  began  the  work  of  changing  the  law  of  Illinois  with 
respect  to  the  care  and  treatment  of  all  boys  and  girls  under 
17  years  of  age,  who  were  found  in  a  condition  of  delinquency. 
In  all  the  consultations  and  work  done  in  the  preparation  of 
this  law,  which  became  the  Juvenile  Court  Law  of  Illinois,  the 
most  humane  and  wisest  law  ever  enacted  in  any  state  of  the 
Union,  the  Woman's  Club  took  a  most  important  and  effective 
part.  Individual  members  and  committees  of  the  Club  ceased 
not  their  efforts  when  this  law  came  into  force  July  1,  1899. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  181 

The  first  probation  officer  appointed  by  the  Judge  of  the  Juve- 
nile Court  was  one  of  the  remarkable  women  of  Chicago,  Mrs. 
Alzina  P.  Stevens,  then  residing  at  Hull  House.  Mrs.  Flower 
brought  her  to  me  and  said  that  'this  lady,  you  will  find,  can 
be  very  helpful  as  a  probation  officer,  and  we  will  see  that 
she  is  paid  for  her  services,'  as  there  was  no  provision  in  the 
law  for  the  payment  of  probation  officers — not  even  one.  The 
writer  of  this  was  anxious  that  a  brother  judge,  who  was 
younger  in  years  and  in  service  than  he,  should  be  appointed 
Judge  of  the  Juvenile  Court,  but  he  positively  refused  and  de- 
clined to  accept  the  place,  whereupon  I  was  selected  to  organize 
and  hold  this  court.  There  were  many  defects  in  the  statute, 
but  the  court  in  various  ways  did  enforce  the  law.  Experience 
taught  many  things,  and  the  effort  to  give  the  children  under  it 
proper  parental  care,  its  great  purpose  and  aim,  at  last  won  the 
support  and  approval  of  all  thinking  men  and  women.  For  over 
six  years  I  held  that  court,  which  was  often  spoken  of  by 
people  who  thought  that  caring  for  children's  cases  was  rather 
beneath  the  dignity  of  a  real  judge,  'the  Kindergarten  Court.' 
It  has  done  great  good  and  its  influence  has  spread  throughout 
the  nation  and  even  into  foreign  countries.  It  has  not  changed 
the  nature  of  the  boys  of  this  great  metropolis,  who  have  never 
had  proper  parental  care,  but  it  has  done  an  incalculable  good 
to  many  thousands  of  them.  To  the  women  of  Chicago  and 
especially  to  those  who  have  been  found  in  the  membership  of 
the  Woman's  Club  the  sincerest  gratitude  of  all  good  citizens 
and  unstinted  praise  is  due  for  their  initial  and  effective  labors 
in  behalf  of  this  so  great  and  needed  reform." 

The  following  review  is  taken  from  the  President's  address 
for  1897-1898,  given  by  Mrs.  Remick  at  the  annual  meeting: 

"It  is  impossible  for  club  members,  not  members  of  the 
board,  to  realize  the  self-sacrificing  devotion  of  our  officials.  It 
does  seem  to  me  that  we  are  asking  too  much  work  of  our 
officers.  I  believe  we  should  lighten  the  work  of  our  secreta- 
ries and  chairmen  of  large  committees  by  the  engagement  of 
the  services  of  a  stenographer  and  typewriter,  who  should  be 


182  ANNALS  OF  THE 

at  the  service  of  those  who  do  the  work  of  this  Club.  The 
clubs  of  Cook  County  have  for  years  been  working  alone  at 
tasks  much  too  large  for  single  clubs,  but  not  impossible  for 
the  combined  clubs  of  Cook  County.  We  are  still  learning  to 
work  together,  but  the  time  will  come  when  we  shall  have 
learned  to  use  our  united  strength  to  real  purpose.  In  co-opera- 
tion with  other  clubs  of  Cook  County,  this  Club  invited  the 
clubs  of  the  city  to  unite  with  us  in  securing  vacation  schools  in 
Chicago  this  summer,  and  formed  a  permanent  committee  to 
proceed  with  this  work  until  we  should  have  convinced  the 
Board  of  Education  of  the  value  of  Vacation  Schools  for  the 
prevention  of  crime  in  this  city,  or  rather,  until  public  opinion 
should  have  been  educated  to  demand  Vacation  Schools  as 
a  part  of  our  school  system.  The  board  has  made  an  experi- 
ment this  year  in  the  appointment  of  an  advisory  committee, 
which  it  feels  has  been  a  success,  and  it  would  recommend  to 
the  Club  the  forming  of  a  new  standing  committee  called  the 
Advisory  Committee.  Uniformity  of  opinion  is  neither  desir- 
able nor  possible  in  so  large  a  club.  We  have  learned  to  differ 
widely  in  opinions  without  personal  feeling.  I  once  heard  a 
member  pay  the  highest  tribute  to  this  Club;  she  said:  'The 
Woman's  dub  is  the  best  organized  association  in  the  country; 
there  may  be  intense  personal  feeling  over  a  question,  but  once 
let  it  be  settled  by  vote,  and  feeling  subsides  and  the  minority 
support  the  will  of  the  majority.'  If  the  Woman's  Club  has  done 
this  for  us,  it  has  given  us  a  liberal  education.  The  most 
outspoken  difference  of  opinion  in  debate  is  good,  but  criticism 
by  members  who  have  not  spoken  in  public,  and  criticism  of 
work  and  workers  by  those  who  do  not  work,  is  bad  for  the 
Club  and  worse  for  the  members  who  indulge  in  it." 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  183 

CHAPTER  VI. 
1898  TO  1900. 

The  Board  of  Directors  having  voted  that  the  United  Study 
Class  of  the  six  Departments  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  be 
continued  for  the  coming  club  year,  each  of  the  Departments 
ratified  this  action  by  appointing  a  sub-committee  of  five  to 
serve  as  members  of  a  general  committee  authorized  to  arrange 
a  program  of  study.  The  committee  of  thirty  thus  formed  se- 
lected a  general  topic,  "The  Needs  of  a  Great  City,"  and  ex- 
pressed the  wish  that  the  essayists  and  speakers  make  the  course 
a  comparative  study  of  successful  results  in  various  municipali- 
ties. After  electing  a  chairman  to  preside  over  the  study  class, 
the  general  committee  delegated  the  choice  of  sub-topics  and  the 
arrangement  of  details  to  a  committee  of  seven,  comprising 
this  chairman  and  the  chairmen  of  the  Department  sub-commit- 
tees. This  smaller  committee  consulted  the  members  of  the  gen- 
eral committee,  as  to  the  varied  interests  of  the  departments, 
throughout  the  course.  The  class  met  on  the  second  and  fourth 
Wednesdays  of  each  month  from  October  to  April,  inclusive, 
excepting  December  28  and  February  22.  Time  was  given  each 
day  for  informal  discussion.  The  program,  as  outlined,  was  as 
follows : 

THE  NEEDS   OF  A  GREAT  CITY. 

October  12 — Development  of  Public  Spirit:  Teaching  of 
Patriotism,  Primary  Elections,  The  Subordination  of  Partisan- 
ship to  Public  Welfare. 

October  26 — Fundamental  Problems  of  Municipal  Organ- 
ization: Centralization  or  Division  of  Power,  Home  Rule  or 
Statutory  Commissions,  Municipal  Control  of  Natural  Monopo- 
lies. 

November  9 — Enforcement  of  Laws  and  Ordinances:  Re- 
form of  Justice  Courts,  Repeal  of  Antiquated  Laws. 

November  23 — Cleanliness:  Garbage,  Street  Cleaning, 
Abatement  of  Smoke  Nuisance,  Public  Conveyances. 


184  ANNALS  OF  THE 

December  14 — Public  Health:  Sewerage,  Pure  Water,  In- 
spection of  Food,  Public  Baths  and  Laundries. 

January  11 — Recreation:  Parks,  Playgrounds  and  Play- 
masters,  Free  Concerts,  Swimming  Tanks  and  Gymnasiums, 
Substitute  for  the  Saloon. 

January  25 — The  Intellectual  Environment  of  the  Citizen: 
Schools,  Libraries  and  Reading  Rooms,  Popular  Lectures,  News- 
papers. 

February  8 — The  Ethical  Environment  of  the  Citizen; 
Character  Building,  Popularization  of  Churches,  Social  Influence 
of  Public  Schools. 

March  8— The  Relation  of  Art  to  Public  Welfare :  Archi- 
tecture, Statues  in  Public  Places,  Art  Museums,  Music,  Arts  and 
Crafts,  Posters  and  Bill  Boards. 

March  22 — The  Equalization  of  Economic  Opportunities: 
Banks  for  Small  Savings,  Equitable  Pawn  Shops,  Fair  Prices 
to  Small  Purchasers,  Housing  of  the  Poor,  Cheap  and  Rapid 
Transportation. 

April  12 — Ideals  Achieved:     A  Composite  City. 

April  26 — Practical  Outcome  of  this  Study  to  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club. 

The  Philosophy  and  Science  Department  had  proposed  as 
early  as  December,  1897,  the  formation  of  a  School  for  Patrio- 
tism, and  the  Philanthropy  Department  asked  that  February  12, 
1898,  the  birthday  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  be  set  apart  for  spe- 
cial celebration  and  for  the  promotion  of  a  public  sentiment  in 
favor  of  making  that  day  a  national  holiday.  This  action  was 
taken  to  further  the  cause  of  good  citizenship,  and  the  Board 
was  requested  to  place  the  arrangements  for  this  celebration  in 
the  hands  of  the  Patriotic  Committee  of  the  Woman's  Club. 
April  26,  1898,  the  committee  reported  as  follows : 

"The  Committee  on  Patriotic  Action  in  the  Public  Schools 
appointed  by  the  board,  have  had  many  meetings  and  have  con- 
sulted with  the  superintendent  of  schools  and  with  various 
teachers  in  order  to  avoid  all  duplication  of  work  or  to  spend 
money  in  any  way  in  which  it  was  not  absolutely  needed.  A  let- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  185 

ter  was  addressed  by  your  committee  to  all  the  patriotic  socie- 
ties of  the  city  asking  them  to  co-operate  with  us  in  the  work 
of  the  committee.  In  reply  the  D.  A.  R.  appointed  a  commit- 
tee and  have  been  most  active  in  assisting  by  advice  and  have 
also  appropriated  $50.  Your  committee  has  not  yet  asked  for 
money,  and  it  still  remains  in  the  treasury  of  the  Daughters. 
The  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Patriotic  Action  of  the 
Union  League  also  signified  the  willingness  of  his  committee  to 
assist  us  in  any  way.  Pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  Board  that 
this  committee  should  take  charge  of  the  celebration  of  Lin- 
coln's Birthday,  February  12,  two  meetings  were  arranged,  one 
at  Handel  Hall,  and  the  other  at  the  Woman's  Club  Rooms. 
The  meeting  in  the  morning  was  for  children  in  the  public 
schools.  Five  or  six  hundred  children  were  present,  and  a  lec- 
ture was  given  by  Professor  Watts,  illustrated  by  stereopticon 
views.  In  the  afternoon,  at  the  Woman's  Club,  the  meeting 
was  addressed  by  Rev.  Jenkin  Lloyd  Jones,  and  Mr.  Frederick 
Root  took  charge  of  the  music,  which  consisted  of  national 
songs.  The  committee  proposed  to  spend  the  balance  of  its 
fund  in  connection  with  the  work  of  the  vacation  schools,  or- 
ganizing excursions  to  interesting  historical  points  about  Chi- 
cago, such  as  old  Fort  Dearborn,  the  site  of  the  Columbian 
Exposition,  Father  Marquette's  encampment  and  other  places." 

One  year  later,  April,  1899,  the  Patriotic  Committee,  Mrs. 
Henrotin,  chairman,  reported  as  follows: 

"Your  Committee  on  Patriotic  Action  was  a  survival  of  a 
Committee  on  Teaching  Patriotism  in  the  Public  Schools.'  After 
the  latter  committee  was  organized  it  was  discovered  that  it 
would  necessarily  duplicate  the  instructions  given  to  the  pupils 
in  the  abstract.  This  instruction  is  all  that  can  be  desired.  The 
members  all  agreed  that  the  history  of  Illinois  was  both  sug- 
gestive and  inspiring,  and  that  the  best  way  to  arouse  civic 
feeling  was  to  make  this  history  known.  The  committee  adopted 
as  a  permanent  designation  the  name  of  Committee  of  Patriotic 
Action.  The  first  official  act  was  to  invite  the  co-operation  of 
clubs  and  societies  likely  to  be  interested.  A  meeting  was  held, 


186  ANNALS  OF  THE 

and  a  definite  plan  presented  and  co-operation  invited.  All  the 
delegates  agreed  to  submit  the  plan  of  organization  of  the  Illi- 
nois History  Club  to  their  associations.  During  the  summer  I 
recalled  an  address  which  had  been  delivered  by  Mr.  Edward 
G.  Mason  at  the  dedication  of  the  building  of  the  Chicago  His- 
torical Society,  in  which  he  outlined  a  policy  to  be  pursued  simi- 
lar in  scope  to  that  of  the  New  York  History  Club.  I  felt  that 
the  solution  of  the  whole  question  was  at  hand.  The  Historical 
Society  was  the  one  agency  which  would  organize  and  support 
this  work.  It  has  a  beautiful  building,  well  adapted  for  lec- 
tures or  study  classes,  and  a  wealth  of  documents,  maps,  pic- 
tures, etc.,  suitable  for  such  a  purpose.  It  seems  as  if  such  a 
store  of  historical  riches  should  be  placed  at  the  disposal  of 
the  citizens  of  Illinois.  The  state  has  been  successively  in  the 
possession  of  Spain,  France  and  England,  and  has  furnished 
to  the  United  States  for  service  some  of  the  noblest  men  of  this 
country." 

The  Club  voted  $100  for  the  committee's  use.  April  28, 
1900,  the  Patriotic  Action  Committee  reported  that  several  meet- 
ings had  been  held  during  the  year,  and  that  in  co-operation  with 
the  Education  Department,  a  course  of  civic  lectures  treating 
of  the  history  of  Chicago  had  been  planned.  Out  of  this  grew 
a  separate  society,  which  offered  a  program  of  lectures  on 
Chicago  and  secured  the  co-operation  of  educators  and  speakers. 
The  Club  parlors  were  given  to  this  society  for  six  Saturday 
lectures  during  1898.  This  sketch  of  the  growth  of  a  Club 
Committee  into  an  independent  organization  is  highly  char- 
acteristic of  the  activity  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club — to  co- 
operate, to  inaugurate,  and  set  movements  going  and  even  to 
assign  work  to  other  organizations. 

During  the  year  1898-1899,  the  Philosophy  and  Science  De- 
partment conducted  a  study  class  in  psychology,  under  the  lead- 
ership of  Prof.  James  R.  Angell,  of  University  of  Chicago. 
Owing  to  the  interest  and  enthusiasm  of  this  year's  work,  the 
department  voted  to  continue  the  study  class  another  year  under 
the  general  subject,  "Psychological  aspect  of  ethical  problems." 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  187 

November  2,  1899,  Dr.  Zella  A.  Dixson  spoke  of  the  life  and 
valuable  work  of  Mrs.  Ellen  B.  Bastin  for  the  Club  and  Depart- 
ment, to  which  she  belonged,  and  said :  "Today  the  Philosophy 
and  Science  Department  desires  formally  to  present  to  the  Club 
the  bust  of  Darwin,  to  be  a  constant  reminder  and  perpetual 
memorial  of  Ellen  B.  Bastin."  March  22,  1899,  the  Philosophy 
and  Science  Department  voted  to  send  to  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago to  be  given  to  the  young  woman  doing  the  best  work  in  psy- 
chology the  sum  of  $120.  This  student  did  brilliant  work  at  the 
university  in  experimental  psychology,  and  had  received  the  travel- 
ing scholarship  of  the  Collegiate  Alumnae.  March  28,  1900,  the 
sum  of  $50  was  appropriated  for  a  student  of  the  university,  to 
aid  her  in  the  psychological  investigation  of  criminology  in  the 
south.  It  was  voted  that  whatever  funds  the  Department  of 
Philosophy  and  Science  had  to  contribute  to  outside  work  be 
devoted  to  some  purpose  which  should  be  in  line  with  the  subjects 
for  which  the  Department  stands.  April  23,  1902,  the  Philosophy 
and  Science  Department  reported: 

"Some  of  you  may  remember  a  lecture  given  by  Dr.  Breas- 
ted in  the  Club  rooms,  under  the  auspices  of  this  Department. 
He  gave  a  graphic  account  of  his  experiences  in  Egypt,  and 
expressed  great  enthusiasm  in  speaking  of  the  relics  which  he 
was  able  to  bring  to  our  city.  He  said  the  contributions  from 
our  Department  for  the  last  three  years  have  assisted  the  Egyp- 
tian Research  Society  in  bringing  to  light  the  first  three  dynas- 
ties of  Egypt,  a  period  of  five  hundred  years,  which  has  hereto- 
fore been  pre-historic.  Of  the  life  and  arts  of  this  period  we 
are  now  to  a  certain  extent  informed,  and  the  discoveries  have 
thus  opened  an  entirely  new  chapter  in  the  life  of  the  peoples  of 
the  Nile." 

March  30,  1898,  Miss  Lathrop  recommended  that  the  mem- 
bers assist  in  establishing  a  Probation  Law  in  our  Justice  Courts, 
so  that  children  who  are  not  criminals  should  not  be  sent  to 
the  Bridewell.  The  most  satisfactory  way  to  do  this  was  to 
have  the  justice  appoint  some  member  as  the  offender's  guar- 
dian for  a  certain  length  of  time,  giving  him  freedom  only  on 


188  ANNALS  OF  THE 

condition  that  he  lives  up  to  all  the  agreements  made.  Novem- 
ber 16,  1898,  Mrs.  Flower  moved  that  the  Reform  Department 
contribute  $125  for  the  purpose  of  paying  some  one  to  investigate 
children's  cases  at  stations.  Mrs.  Kelley  spoke  of  the  necessity 
of  prohibiting  children  under  sixteen  years  of  age  from  being 
employed  between  the  hours  of  9  p.  m.  and  6  a.  m.,  and  sug- 
gested the  preparation  of  a  bill  with  the  endorsement  of  the  Re- 
form Department,  to  be  submitted  at  the  next  Club  meeting,  and 
presented  at  the  next  legislature. 

December  28,  1898,  the  probation  work  for  children  in 
police  stations  was  reported.  The  Children's  Home  and  Aid 
Society,  with  Mr.  Hastings  Hart  as  president,  had  agreed  to 
co-operate  with  the  joint  committee  from  the  Philanthropy  and 
Reform  Departments  in  paying  the  salary  of  a  probation  offi- 
cer. Mr.  Carl  Kelsey  was  appointed  to  begin  work  at  once  at 
the  East  Chicago  Avenue  Station;  members  of  the  two  depart- 
ments were  to  assist  Mr.  Kelsey  in  looking  after  truant  boys 
after  he  had  secured  a  suspension  of  sentence  and  investigated 
the  case.  The  Club  members  then  visited  the  home  of  the 
child  and  his  teachers,  to  see  that  he  was  kept  in  school  and 
off  the  street  and  otherwise  guarded  and  guided.  Justices  in  the 
districts,  where  there  were  no  probation  officers,  were  requested 
to  send  notice  to  these  women.  Miss  Bartelme,  the  public  guar- 
dian of  Cook  County,  reported  having  placed  a  number  of  chil- 
dren to  board  in  homes  and  institutions,  and  spoke  of  efficient 
aid  rendered  by  members  of  her  committee  in  the  Reform  De- 
partment. 

April  29,  1899,  it  was  reported  that  Mrs.  Alzina  P.  Stevens, 
who  visited  the  Maxwell  Street  Station,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Sly,  of 
the  Northwestern  Settlement,  who  was  interested  in  the  West 
Chicago  Avenue  Station,  had  been  acting  as  probation  officers. 

February  8,  1899,  Miss  Lathrop  and  Mrs.  Henrotin  were 
appointed  delegates  to  Springfield  to  look  after  the  bills  relat- 
ing to  the  Truant  and  Parental  Schools,  and  the  Chicago  Bar 
Association's  Bill,  in  the  interest  of  dependent  and  delinquent 
children.  February  15,  1899,  Judge  Hurd  spoke  on  the  Bar  Asso- 
ciation's Bill,  of  which  he  was  the  author,  and  Miss  Lathrop 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  189 

spoke  on  dependent  children.  Mrs.  Plummer  gave  an  account 
of  the  success  of  the  visit  of  the  delegates  appointed  by  this 
Qub,  with  the  different  committees  of  the  House  and  Senate  at 
Springfield,  and  moved  that  two  committees  of  three  each  be  ap- 
pointed to  secure  a  corps  of  workers  to  further  the  interests 
of  the  parental  school  and  delinquent  children  bill.  The  fol- 
lowing resolution  was  adopted: 

"That  a  standing  committee  be  appointed  from  this  Club, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  work  for  the  complete  separation  of 
the  John  Worthy  School  from  the  Bridewell,  this  committee 
to  continue  until  the  work  is  accomplished,  and  that  this  com- 
mittee convey  to  Mayor  Harrison  the  feelings  of  the  Club  in 
regard  to  tearing  out  cells  and  replacing  them  with  dormito- 
ries." February  22,  1899,  Miss  Lathrop  and  Mrs.  F.  P.  Bag- 
ley  were  sent  by  the  Club  to  Springfield  to  continue  work  for 
the  Truant  School  and  Dependent  Children's  Bill. 

October  25,  1899,  Miss  Mary  S.  Tenney,  chairman  of  pro- 
bation work  for  children  in  police  stations,  reviewed  the  work 
done  by  the  Juvenile  Court  since  its  opening,  July  1.  She  rec- 
ommended that  the  contributions  toward  the  salary  of  a  pro- 
bation officer  be  continued  and  that  an  additional  police  station 
be  supplied  with  an  officer.  Mrs.  Flower  told  of  the  great 
need  of  probation  officers  and  volunteer  workers  to  assist  the 
officers  in  looking  after  the  boys.  As  many  as  35  boys  were 
brought  before  the  judge  in  one  day.  Boys  of  16  years  and 
over  required  the  instruction  and  influence  of  the  school  quite 
as  much  as  the  younger  boys;  26  had  been  the  average  attend- 
ance during  September.  Visitors  from  other  states  were  greatly 
surprised  to  find  a  school  in  the  jail  and  the  grand  jury  were 
interested  in  it.  Mrs.  Alzina  P.  Stevens  was  the  first  probation 
officer  appointed  by  the  court,  and  served  from  July  5,  1899,  to 
March  1,  1906,  the  time  of  her  death.  In  March,  1900,  she 
gave  a  resume  of  the  work  from  July  5,  1899,  to  March  1, 
1900.  She  had  had  under  her  supervision  in  all,  one  hundred 
and  seventy-seven  cases,  of  which  one  hundred  and  six  were 
on  parole.  Upon  each  of  these  she  had  made  at  least  one  visit 
personally,  and  had  visited  many  of  them  several  times. 


190  ANNALS  OF  THE 

November  15,  1899,  the  Probation  Committee,  with  Miss 
Lathrop  and  Mrs.  Ailing  at  the  head,  were  faithful  in  attending 
the  Juvenile  Court,  Judge  Tuthill  presiding.  The  new  bill  hav- 
ing proved  a  success,  Miss  Lathrop  reports  on  April  26,  1900: 
"Under  the  operation  of  the  Juvenile  Court  Law,  as  the  new 
law  relating  to  neglected  children,  is  popularly  called,  the  work 
of  our  joint  committee  from  the  Reform  and  Philanthropy  De- 
partments, was  necessarily  changed  from  probation  work  in  the 
police  courts  to  probation  work  in  the  Juvenile  Court.  At  the 
request  of  the  committee  the  Reform  and  Philanthropy  Depart- 
ments have  jointly  contributed  toward  the  support  of  a  proba- 
tion officer  in  the  Juvenile  Court.  The  efficacy  of  the  law  de- 
pends upon  the  efficiency  of  the  probation  officers,  and  at  pres- 
ent these  officers  must  be  either  policemen  or  unpaid  volunteers 
or  paid  volunteers.  The  work  in  the  long  run  must  depend 
upon  paid  volunteers.  The  Juvenile  Court  bill  has  already  been 
copied  by  five  states,  and  is  pronounced  by  experts  the  best  law 
ever  enacted." 

Miss  Nellie  J.  Flood,  the  jail  school  teacher  reports:  On 
July  1,  1899,  the  Juvenile  Court  Law  went  into  effect,  which 
law  requires  all  boys  of  twelve  years  and  under,  sent  elsewhere 
than  to  the  County  Jail.  Heretofore  the  school  age  was  limited 
to  sixteen  years  for  the  cells,  and  the  school  room  was  con- 
stantly supplied  with  new  recruits  under  that  age;  with  the 
passing  of  the  young  boys,  room  was  thus  made  for  those  over 
sixteen  who  wished  to  enjoy  the  privilege  of  the  school.  There 
were  twenty-seven  boys  in  the  school  over  sixteen  years.  Dur- 
ing this  year  there  have  been  four  hundred  and  four  boys  pass- 
ing through  the  school.  Since  opening  of  the  Juvenile  Court, 
older  boys  had  come  into  the  school.  She  had  been  able  to 
assist  several  worthy  boys  to  obtain  release  from  imprisonment. 

Mrs.  Flower  was  made  chairman  of  the  joint  committees  of 
the  Reform  and  Philanthropy  Departments,  for  probation  work 
for  children  in  police  stations.  A  committee  on  laws  affecting 
women  and  children  was  also  appointed  and  many  other  com- 
mittees were  doing  important  work,  including  the  volunteer 
workers  who  assisted  the  officers  in  looking  after  the  boys. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  191 

In  March,  1900,  the  Probation  Committee  of  the  Philan- 
thropy Department  reported  the  appointment  of  one  more  pro- 
bation officer,  and  that  there  were  prospects  that  the  parental 
school  would  be  built  by  the  city  before  fall,  but  if  not,  the  clubs 
will  be  asked  to  work  for  it.  It  was  voted  to  continue  the 
work  another  year,  with  Miss  Lathrop  as  chairman. 

February  14,  1900,  the  Club  voted  to  assist  in  bringing  Dr. 
Sibbold,  of  Edinburgh,  Scotland,  a  specialist  upon  the  treatment 
of  the  insane,  to  lecture  upon  that  subject  before  the  medical 
students  of  Chicago. 

Mrs.  Louise  Dickinson  Sherman,  in  her  president's  ad- 
dress, read  before  the  Club,  April  28,  1900,  says : 

"It  is  comforting  to  reflect  that  we  apply  one-sixth  of  our 
income  (that  is  better  than  the  Scriptural  one-tenth),  exclusive 
of  our  initiation  fees,  to  the  work  of  reform,  education,  philan- 
thropy, and  other  activities,  as  indicated  by  our  departments. 
Beyond  this  we  have  given  our  rooms  to  the  use  of  others  most 
generously.  Only  matters  of  general  interest  were  considered 
by  the  League  of  Cook  County  Clubs,  such  as  the  Juvenile 
Court  and  the  necessity  and  importance  of  probation  officers  to 
fully  carry  out  the  design  of  that  court.  A  meeting  was  called 
at  Handel  Hall,  and  an  invitation  extended  to  all  clubs,  con- 
nected with  the  League,  to  listen  to  addresses  from  Judge  Tut- 
hill,  Mrs.  Stevens,  Miss  Lathrop  and  Mrs.  Bagley.  The  result 
was  an  agreement  by  the  League  to  unite  in  sustaining  one  gen- 
eral probation  officer  in  the  Juvenile  Court,  and  in  the  selection 
of  several  volunteer  officers  to  act  under  the  direction  of  general 
officers.  There  are  three  of  these  paid  officers  who  give  all  their 
time.  The  second  object  to  which  the  attention  of  the  clubs  was 
called,  was  the  consolidation  of  the  various  taxing  bodies  in 
this  city.  Very  few  persons  are  aware  of  the  complexities  of 
our  taxing  system,  owing  to  various  independent  taxing  bodies 
within  the  county.  No  real  reform  is  possible  until  these  inde- 
pendent bodies  are  done  away  with.  The  Probation  Committee 
of  the  Philanthropy  Department  was  in  constant  attendance  at 
the  Juvenile  Court,  the  new  provision  having  been  proved  a 


192  ANNANS  OF  THE 

success.  The  Jail  School  Committee  of  the  Reform  Department 
reported  that  since  the  establishment  of  the  Juvenile  Court, 
older  boys  were  coming  into  the  school,  and  the  results  of  the 
work  was  more  evident  than  in  former  years.  For  six  years 
Mrs.  A.  A.  Carpenter  had  been  present  in  the  jail  on  Thanks- 
giving day  and  personally  waited  on  the  boys.  June  20,  1900, 
Mrs.  Mary  R.  Plummer,  recommended  that  fitting  tribute  to 
Mrs.  Alzina  P.  Stevens  would  be  to  name  the  parental  school  for 
her." 

An  account  of  the  establishment  of  the  Juvenile  Court  ap- 
pears in  William  Hard's  "The  Woman  of  Tomorrow,"  which 
was  first  published  in  1910,  and  dedicated  "To  the  Mothers  of 
the  World."  The  chapter  entitled  "Chicago  Women  as  Citizens" 
was  reprinted  in  pamphlet  form  by  Mrs.  Wilmarth  and  widely 
distributed.  The  following  significant  paragraphs  are  taken 
from  the  pamphlet: 

"At  the  very  first  session  of  the  Chicago  Juvenile  Court 
there  appeared  two  women.  One  of  them  offered  to  be  a  pro- 
bation officer.  The  other,  with  a  consciousness  of  many  friends 
behind  her,  offered  to  accumulate  a  fund  on  which  a  staff  of 
probation  officers  might  be  maintained. 

From  those  officers  grew  the  Juvenile  Court  Committee.  Its 
work  during  the  next  eight  years  was  an  integral  part  of  the 
administration  of  the  Juvenile  Court.  There's  little  wisdom  (in 
a  city  as  large  as  Chicago)  in  paroling  a  wayward  boy  unless 
there's  a  probation  officer  to  follow  him,  to  watch  him,  to  en- 
courage him,  to  keep  him  from  relapsing  into  the  hands  of  the 
Judge.  Some  3,500  children  pass  through  the  court  every  year. 
The  judge  cannot  be  father  to  many  of  them.  The  probation 
officers  are  the  judge's  eyes  and  hands,  giving  him  knowledge 
and  control  of  his  family.  Without  the  probation  officers  the 
new  system  would  have  been  an  amiable  reform,  but  not  an  ef- 
fective agency  for  juvenile  regeneration. 

The  Juvenile  Court  Committee  developed  a  staff  of  proba- 
tion officers,  which  finally  had  twenty-two  members.  The  Juve- 
nile Court  Committee  also  undertook  the  maintenance  and  man- 
agement of  the  detention  home  in  which  boys  were  sheltered 
and  instructed  while  awaiting  the  final  disposition  of  their  cases. 
The  Juvenile  Court  Committee  also  gave  time  and  money  to 
many  other  features  of  the  development  of  the  court,  all  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  193 

way  from  paying  the  salaries  of  a  chief  clerk  and  a  chief  stenog- 
rapher to  suggesting  the  advisability  and  securing  the  adoption 
of  necessary  amendments  to  the  Juvenile  Court  law. 

From  the  year  1898  to  the  year  1907,  the  Juvenile  Court 
Committee  raised  and  spent  $100,000.  But  it  did  its  best  work 
in  depriving  itself  of  its  occupation.  It  secured  the  passage  of 
a  law  which  established  the  probation  officer  system  as  part  of 
the  Juvenile  Court  system,  to  be  maintained  forever  by  the 
county  authority.  And  it  succeeded,  after  long  negotiations,  in 
persuading  the  county  and  the  city  governments  to  co-operate  in 
the  erection  of  a  Children's  Building,  which  houses  both  the 
court  and  the  detention  home. 

The  original  purpose  of  the  Juvenile  Court  Committee  was 
now  fulfilled.  The  Committee  perished.  But  it  immediately 
rose  from  its  ashes  as  the  Juvenile  Protective  Association.  In- 
stead of  supporting  probation  officers  to  look  after  children 
who  are  already  in  the  care  of  the  court,  it  now  spends  some 
$25,000  a  year  on  protective  officers,  who  have  it  for  their  ulti- 
mate object  to  prevent  children  from  getting  into  the  care  of 
the  court.  Can  anything  be  done  to  dam  the  stream  of  depend- 
ent and  delinquent  children  which  flows  through  the  children's 
building  so  steadily?  What  are  the  subterranean  sources  of 
that  stream?  Can  they  be  staunched?" 

November  14,  1900,  the  Committee  to  Visit  County  In- 
stitutions, reported  time  spent  at  Dunning;  their  efforts  in 
this  work  would  tend  toward  the  removal  of  children,  both 
normal  and  defective,  from  such  unnatural  environment.  Mrs. 
Kelly  reported  progress  on  the  bill  to  prohibit  employment  of 
children  under  sixteen  years  of  age,  between  the  hours  of  9:00 
p.  m.  and  6:00  a.  m.  The  Philanthropy  Department  reported 
November  28,  1900:  "State  Home  for  Juvenile  Female  Offend- 
ers does  not  sound  like  a  20th  century  title  to  adorn  any  door- 
way arch  in  Illinois.  It  will  be  necessary  to  appeal  to  the 
legislature  to  make  a  very  desirable  change  in  the  name  of  this 
institution.  State  Home  for  Girls  is  the  title  asked  for."  A 
colony  for  five  thousand  epileptics  in  Illinois  was  also  asked  for. 
Three  representatives  from  each  Department  were  appointed 
to  attend  the  Conference  of  State  Charities  for  Dependent  Chil- 
dren to  be  held  at  Kankakee,  November  16  and  17.  November 
9,  the  Reform  Department  reported  that  they  had  appointed 


194  ANNALS  OF  THE 

an  advisory  committee,  at  Miss  Mary  Bartelme's  request,  to  assist 
her  in  the  arduous  duties  as  public  guardian.  She  often  had 
150  children  in  her  care,  who  were  not  necessarily  dependent. 

November  23,  Mrs.  Ballington  Booth  spoke  on  her  work 
in  the  prisons  and  the  need  of  a  home  for  discharged  male 
prisoners  that  they  might  be  guarded  from  the  immediate  temp- 
tations that  surround  them  on  their  release  from  prison. 

January  11,  1899,  it  was  voted  that  the  names  of  charter 
members  of  the  Club  be  printed  in  the  new  calendar  upon  a 
separate  page,  and  that  the  first  row  of  seats  at  all  regular 
meetings  of  the  Club  be  reserved  for  them.  On  January  30, 
the  Countess  Schimmelmann  was  the  guest  of  honor  at  a  re- 
ception; 400  members  attended.  On  March  25,  1899,  the  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club  gave  a  reception  to  the  ex-presidents  of  the 
Club.  Those  who  were  present  and  received  with  Mrs.  Sherman, 
were :  Dr.  Julia  Holmes  Smith,  Dr.  Leila  G.  Bedell,  Mrs.  H.  L. 
Frank,  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Stevenson  and  Mrs.  Farlin  Q.  Ball. 
A  letter  of  greeting  was  read  from  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Brown; 
there  were  over  six  hundred  present. 

The  Social  Committee  reported  plans  to  give  a  reception 
Saturday,  October  28,  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Brown, 
founder  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  The  charter  members 
of  the  Club  were  invited  to  receiye,  with  Mrs.  Brown  and  Mrs. 
Sherman.  The  ex-presidents  of  the  Club  and  the  Board  of  the 
Woman's  Club  assisted  in  entertaining.  Of  the  twenty-one 
women  who  formed  this  club,  thirteen  were  present. 

In  February,  1899,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  assist 
in  securing  an  appropriation  for  a  woman's  building  at  the 
State  University.  The  Education  Department  reported  that 
there  was  danger  of  household  science  being  taken  out  of  the 
public  schools ;  clubs  and  individuals  had  been  asked  to  inves- 
tigate the  work  in  the  public  schools  and  to  write  personal 
testimonials  to  the  Board  of  Education.  This  had  been  done, 
and  the  danger  seemed  to  be  averted ;  4,000  pupils  were  reached 
in  those  cooking  classes  by  the  eight  schools  affording  this  boon. 
This  Department  requested  all  clubs  of  the  city  to  investigate 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  195 

the  work  of  the  domestic  science  work  in  the  public  schools  and 
write  a  personal  testimonial  of  its  work  to  the  members  of  the 
Board  of  Education  in  the  home  of  the  clubs.  It  was  also  re- 
ported that  a  fine  collection  of  paintings  had  been  purchased  by 
Josephine  Locke  to  loan  to  public  schools.  The  Education  De- 
partment announced  that  Mrs.  Perce,  chairman  of  the  Vacation 
School  Committee  of  the  department,  had  secured  $1,000.00  for 
the  Vacation  Schools.  March  7,  1900,  the  day  was  in  charge  of 
the  Education  Department,  the  essayist,  Mrs.  Evelyn  A.  Frake; 
subject:  "The  Value  of  Domestic  Economy  in  the  Elementary 
and  Higher  Schools" ;  Prof.  Carman's  subject,  "Manual  Training 
in  High  Schools";  Miss  Hedenberg's,  "Sewing." 

March  21,  1900,  the  Education  Department  held  a  special 
meeting  to  consider  an  outline  of  school  reform,  which  at  the 
request  of  several  members  was  submitted  by  E.  Hofer, 
active  in  school  legislation  in  the  state  of  Oregon.  At  a  pre- 
vious meeting  the  Department  ordered  copies  of  the  outline 
printed  and  sent  to  members  of  the  Club.  William  Kent, 
Joseph  Errant,  and  others  spoke  upon  the  questions  in  the 
outline,  especially  upon  the  advisability  of  electing  the  school 
board  in  as  large  a  city  as  Chicago.  Dr.  Nicholas  Murray  But- 
ler was  consulted  and  Professor  Locke,  of  the  University  of 
Chicago,  and  William  Armstrong,  principal  of  the  Englewood 
High  School,  participated  in  the  discussion. 

The  Education  Commission  Bill  presented  by  the  commit- 
tee appointed  by  Mayor  Harrison  was  fully  discussed  by  the 
Education  Department.  The  bill  provided  that  power  be  given 
the  superintendent  of  schools  of  Chicago  to  re-organize  the 
school  system,  to  choose  text  books  and  to  appoint  teachers, 
subject  only  to  the  veto  power  of  the  majority  of  the  Board  of 
Education.  The  Club  endorsed  the  Rogers  Bill.  This  was  a  bill 
designed  to  regulate  the  granting  of  degrees  by  educational  in- 
stitutions, its  object  being  to  prevent  the  granting  of  fraudu- 
lent degrees,  and  the  selling  of  degrees  for  money. 

April  29,  1899,  the  Library  Committee,  with  Mrs.  Marian  B. 
Upton  as  chairman,  made  the  following  report:  The  Library 


196  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Committee  was  formed  with  instructions  to  prepare  recom- 
mendations to  be  presented  to  the  Board  of  Managers,  which 
was  done  on  March  8,  as  follows: 

That  a  small  reference  library  be  supplied  by  the  Club,  paid 
for  from  the  Club  treasury;  that  two  members  from  each  de- 
partment be  chosen  to  form  a  committee  to  make  out  a  list  of 
carefully  selected  books,  the  list  to  be  posted  in  the  club  rooms 
and  each  member  be  invited  to  contribute  a  book  on  this  list,  or 
any  other  book,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  committee;  that 
each  deparment  buy  for  its  own  study  classes  the  necessary  books 
and  that  they  be  placed  in  the  library ;  that  each  department  set 
aside  each  year  a  certain  sum  of  money  for  books  for  the  library. 

Mrs.  Martha  Foote  Crow  was  requested  to  deliver  a  course 
of  six  lectures  on  English  Literature  during  Lent,  1899. 

The  literary  study  course  for  1898-99  was  planned  as  the 
first  part  of  a  three  years'  course  on  the  English  drama;  the 
first  year  going  to  the  middle  of  Shakespeare's  career  (about 
1602),  the  second  year  from  then  until  the  close  of  the  Eliza- 
bethan Period  (say,  1642),  the  third  (after  a  brief  review  of 
the  Restoration  and  the  seventeenth  century  drama),  empha- 
sizing the  various  dramatic  developments  of  the  present  era. 

The  design  was  to  illustrate  the  growth  of  dramatic  art  by 
a  series  of  selected  plays  of  Shakespeare,  studied  in  compari- 
son with  some  other  work  or  works  of  the  period,  and  consid- 
ered as  an  exponent  of  the  growth  of  Shakespeare's  mind  and 
art.  A  third  topic  took  some  more  general  or  universal 
aspect  of  the  dramatic  art.  Special  bibliographies  on  the  various 
topics  were  provided. 

In  October,  1898,  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  voted 
that  members  be  allowed  to  bring  guests  to  the  classes  on  pay- 
ment of  a  small  fee.  In  February  a  social  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  assist  the  social  committee  of  the  Club,  and  also  to 
promote  sociability  in  the  department  and  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed for  planning  department  work.  At  the  business  meet- 
ing of  the  department  held  in  April,  1900,  a  motion  was  made 
by  Mrs.  Magee  that  a  prize  of  $10.00  be  offered  for  the  best 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  197 

design  for  a  book-plate  for  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  library, 
the  competition  being  limited  to  the  senior  class  in  design  and 
decoration  at  the  Art  Institute.  A  free  concert  was  reported 
in  Neighborhood  House  district,  and  another  given  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Bass  School,  which  was  attended  by  900  pupils. 

The  Sunday  afternoon  lectures  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Art  and  Literature  Department  developed  into  the  Open  Door 
meetings  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  This  notable  feature 
of  our  work  has  been  taken  up  by  many  organizations  in  dif- 
ferent forms  of  Sunday  meetings,  the  beneficent  influence  of 
which  cannot  be  overestimated.  Among  others  may  be  named 
the  Art  Institute  concerts,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Philanthropy 
Department,  and  the  West  End  Woman's  Club  Sunday  Con- 
certs. Writers  and  musicians  have  been  most  generous  in  lend- 
ing their  aid  to  make  these  Open  Door  programs  attractive  and 
stimulating.  This  work  began  in  the  Art  and  Literature  De- 
partment through  the  initiative  of  Martha  Foote  Crow.  Octo- 
ber 26,  1898,  the  Department  appointed  a  committee  to  confer 
with  a  committee  from  the  Girls'  Clubs  in  regard  to  a  course  of 
lectures  to  be  given  in  the  Club  rooms  Sunday  afternoons  by 
Mrs.  Crow.  The  first  lecture  in  the  course  for  Girls'  Clubs 
was  given  Sunday,  December  11.  March  22,  1899,  Mrs.  Crow 
reported  the  intense  interest  taken  by  the  members  of  the  Girls' 
Clubs  in  the  twelve  Sunday  afternoon  lectures.  She  spoke  of 
the  good  books  which  the  girls  desired  to  know  about.  The  Art 
and  Literature  Department  voted  to  defray  all  expenses  of 
these  lectures. 

October  25,  1899,  it  was  decided  to  recommend  that  the 
course  of  lectures  given  the  previous  year  by  Mrs.  Martha  Foote 
Crow  to  the  Girls'  Clubs  on  Sunday  afternoons  in  the  Club 
rooms  be  continued  as  a  Club  affair,  and  that  a  committee  of 
two  from  each  Department  be  appointed  to  assist.  The  Board 
received  with  favor  the  Department's  request  and  a  committee 
from  each  Department  was  appointed. 

The  following  report  was  read  at  the  Annual  Meeting, 
April,  1900:  The  course  of  lectures  given  in  the  Club  parlors 


198  ANNALS  OF  THE 

on  Sunday  afternoons  for  the  benefit  of  the  members  of  the 
young  women's  clubs  and  their  friends,  have  been  conducted  this 
year,  as  in  previous  years  by  Mrs.  Martha  Foote  Crow.  The  meet- 
ings, which  were  held  fourteen  Sundays,  began  December  3,  and 
closed  March  25.  The  attendance  ranged  from  eighteen  to 
eighty-seven,  the  average  being  forty,  a  fair  increase  on  hst 
year.  The  talks  were  on  current  literature  and  included  a  dis- 
cussion of  "Richard  Carvel,"  "Janice  Meredith,"  "The  Man  With 
the  Hoe,"  "The  Principles  of  the  Drama,"  "King  Lear,"  "Quo 
Vadis,"  novel  and  drama;  "Paolo  and  Francesca,"  "Rosamond," 
"The  Intruder,"  George  Meredith's  novels,  George  Meredith's 
poetry,  Shakespeare's  answer  to  the  question:  "Is  Life  Worth 
Living?"  The  subjects  were  chosen  partly  by  the  young  women 
and  partly  by  Mrs.  Crow.  Delightful  music  was  gladly  given 
every  afternoon  by  friends  of  Mrs.  Crow  or  one  of  the  commit- 
tee, and  after  the  discussion,  tea  was  served.  The  work  your 
committee  feels  is  one  which  is  well  worth  the  doing,  and  will  in- 
crease in  usefulness  from  year  to  year.  To  Mrs.  Crow  belongs 
the  credit  and  to  her  untiring  fidelity  and  enthusiasm  the  success. 
of  the  undertaking. 

Frances  Le  Baron  writes  later:  "One  of  the  finest  enter- 
prises ever  started  and  carried  on  by  our  Club,  was  the  starting 
and  for  several  years  the  carrying  on  with  but  little  help  from 
others  by  Mrs.  Martha  Foote  Crow,  of  the  'Open  Door,'  who 
furnished  the  entire  programme,  either  by  herself  or  with  the 
assistance  of  her  friends." 

April  29,  1899,  the  annual  report  of  the  Art  and  Litera- 
ture Department  was  given  by  the  chairman,  as  fol- 
lows: The  Art  Class  has  met  regularly  every  first  and 
third  Friday  morning  of  each  club  month,  holding  in  all  four- 
teen meetings,  which  have  been  well  attended,  at  many  of  the 
meetings  persons  of  reputation  in  their  respective  lines  of  artistic 
work  have  been  present  to  illustrate  the  topic  under  discussion. 
The  Music  Class  has  considered  the  Evolution  of  Music  during 
the  18th  century,  and  has  been  so  fortunate  as  to  have  had 
the  able  assistance  of  writers,  members  and  non-members,  and 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  199 

musical  illustrations  were  given  by  eminent  artists.  The 
Literature  Class  has  been  conducted  by  Mrs.  Crow  and  has 
begun  what  may  be  considered  a  three-year  course  in  the  study 
of  Elizabethan  drama.  We  are  glad  to  make  a  favorable  report 
to  the  Club  of  the  student  who  holds  the  Woman's  Club  scholar- 
ship in  the  Art  Institute.  At  the  last  business  meeting  of  the 
Department  a  committee  on  work  to  be  undertaken,  of  which 
Lucy  Fitch  Perkins  was  chairman,  made  the  following  recom- 
mendations, which  the  Department  adopted:  That  the  Depart- 
ment take  for  its  permanent  interest  the  beautification  of  the 
City  of  Chicago  by  whatever  means  seems  most  available  for 
the  purpose,  the  work  to  embrace  not  only  the  wise  expenditure 
of  money,  but  the  development  of  public  interest  through  agi- 
tation and  the  use  of  influence  to  achieve  desirable  ends.  The 
exercise  of  a  general  care  over  the  aesthetic  aspect  of  civic  life — 
it  was  instanced  that  the  Japanese  Buildings  in  Jackson  Park, 
that  beautiful  gift  of  a  nation  to  our  city,  are  already  defaced 
and  injured  to  an  irreparable  extent  by  the  lack  of  care  and 
protection  from  vandals.  The  committee  also  recommends  tree 
planting,  and  quotes  Prof.  Geddes,  the  eminent  botanist,  that 
tree  culture  can  be  carried  on  in  Chicago.  The  committee  also 
recommends  the  care  of  small  triangular  parks  at  the  inter- 
section of  streets,  and  the  effort  to  secure  new  parks  in  the 
poor  districts.  A  third  suggestion  was  that  an  effort  be  made 
to  secure  a  recreation  pier  for  our  lake  front  park  similar  to 
the  New  York  recreation  pier.  Philanthropists  tell  us  that  no 
better  work  can  be  done  than  to  bring  beauty  into  our  civic 
life,  particularly  in  the  poorer  districts;  that  recreation  and 
beauty  are  among  the  most  powerful  agents  in  doing  away  with 
suffering  and  crime.  Moreover,  the  committee  discovers  that 
the  movement  is  not  peculiar  to  the  Art  and  Literature  Depart- 
ment of  the  Woman's  Club,  but  that  all  over  the  city  there  are 
evidences  of  an  awakening  to  the  importance  of  civic  beauty 
and  an  effort  to  secure  it. 

The  new  work  chosen  was  the  beautifying  of  Bellevue 
Place  Park.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  formulate  a  plan  of 
work  for  the  beautification  of  the  city.  The  committee  felt 


200  ANNALS  OF  THE 

that  to  protect  what  we  have  should  be  an  important  part  of  the 
work,  and  that  a  committee  should  be  appointed  to  call  atten- 
tion to  such  matters.  October  25,  1899,  the  committee  appeared 
before  the  Architectural  Club  to  confer  with  them  in  regard 
to  plans  for  beautifying  the  small  parks,  the  expense  for  such 
beautification  not  to  exceed  one  thousand  dollars.  Isabel  Mc- 
Dougal,  chairman  of  this  committee,  reported  that  the  Archi- 
tectural Club  had  chosen  a  spot  for  a  small  park;  North  State 
and  Rush  Streets  and  Bellevue  Place,  and  the  plans  would  soon 
be  ready  for  inspection.  Mrs.  Judah  reported  that  five  plans 
had  been  sent  in  by  the  Architectural  Club  for  beautifying  the 
small  park  at  North  State  and  Rush  Streets,  and  Bellevue  Place. 
The  committee  had  chosen  as  the  best,  the  one  designed  by  Mr. 
Long.  The  city  authorities  were  consulted  before  the  final 
recommendation  of  the  committee  was  given.  In  January,  1900, 
the  plans  of  Mr.  Long  were  recommended.  These  were  approved 
by  the  Municipal  Art  Commission,  who  passed  resolutions  recom- 
mending them  to  the  City  Council.  At  the  annual  meeting  the 
chairman  of  the  Department  reported:  Six  hundred  dollars 
were  voted  to  forward  the  plan  of  building  an  attractive  and 
artistic  shelter  at  Bellevue  Place  Park.  This  is  a  tangible  bit 
of  constructive  work  toward  beautifying  our  city,  the  influence 
of  which  we  trust  will  spread.  The  Art  Commission  appointed 
by  the  Mayor  approved  the  plans,  which  were  first  submitted  to 
the  common  council ;  the  city  authorities  assured  hearty  co-op- 
eration as  to  the  trees,  shrubs  and  landscape  features.  Our  ob- 
ject was  partly  that  of  awakening  public  opinion  as  to  what 
should  be  done  to  beautify  our  city,  and  what  could  be  done. 
The  South  Park  Board  was  stirred  by  our  action  to  look  after 
the  Japanese  buildings  on  the  Wooded  Island. 

October  3,  1900,  a  bond  for  two  thousand  dollars  was  given 
the  city,  after  the  City  Council  passed  the  plans  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  Park  in  Bellevue  Place.  In  view  of  the  work 
done  by  the  Club  to  improve  the  Park  at  Bellevue  Place,  the 
City  Council  requested  a  representative  from  the  Club  to  serve 
on  the  Park  Committee.  Mrs.  Noble  B.  Judah  was  appointed 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  201 

by  the  Board  to  fill  this  office.  Total  estimates  for  improvements 
amount  to  $1,244.25. 

The  chairman  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  re- 
ported April  28,  1900 : 

I  assume  that  the  Club  is  familiar  with  the  beginnings  of 
our  principal  work,  the  beautifying  of  the  small  park  at  Belle- 
vue  Place,  and  is  probably  aware  that  all  undertakings  meet 
with  more  difficulties  and  delays  than  the  most  unsanguine 
could  anticipate.  Throughout  the  summer  we  have  had  our 
share.  First,  the  question  of  properly  bringing  our  matter  be- 
fore the  City  Council,  then  the  delay  of  the  council  in  acting 
upon  it;  then  strikes  among  the  building  trades,  and  finally 
delay  of  the  contractors  to  carry  out  their  work  on  time,  all 
of  this  inevitably  complicated  by  the  usual  dispersal  of  our 
members  from  May  to  October.  *  *  *  Finally  this  month 
the  work  which  under  contract  should  have  been  completed 
August  1,  is  finished.  Our  charming  little  brick  shelter  is  in 
place,  with  its  white  columns,  its  trellises  for  vines,  Italian 
fashion,  and  a  quaint  octagonal  brick  wall.  May  I  add  that  the 
tiling — white,  green  and  red,  introducing  Chicago's  shield  and 
water  lilies,  has  been  admired  by  many  architects,  as  well  as 
the  four  green  turtles,  reluctantly  cast  from  life  who  will  pour 
water  into  the  drinking  places.  It  is  unfortunately  too  late  in 
the  season  to  begin  landscape  work,  for  our  little  building  was 
merely  designed  as  a  point  of  interest  to  set  off  and  be  set  off 
by  surrounding  greenery.  Mr.  O.  C.  Symons  has  been  good 
enough  to  offer  us  a  plan  of  laying  out  this  scrap  of  ground  to 
the  best  advantage.  This  he  does  freely,  as  his  addition  to  the 
first  step  of  the  Woman's  Club  in  municipal  adornment.  It  calls 
for  the  planting  of  many  trees  and  shrubs.  The  expense  of  this 
enterprise  has  been  in  round  numbers,  $1,250.  Of  that  the  Art 
and  Literature  Department  first  appropriated  $400;  $250  (about) 
was  contributed,  $100  coming  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Mc- 
Cormick,  and  the  rest  from  members  of  this  club.  December  5, 
1900,  Mrs.  Perkins  quoted  authorities  who  had  declared  the  im- 
provement of  the  park  and  the  building  of  the  shelter  were 
epoch-making  events  in  the  history  of  Chicago,  as  this  was  the 


202  ANNALS  OF  THE 

nucleus  for  establishing  a  system  of  small  parks  throughout  the 
city. 

January  9,  1901,  Mrs.  Henry  W.  Magee  presented  a  state- 
ment in  regard  to  the  building  of  the  shelter  in  Bellevue  Park, 
as  follows : 

"To  the  Mayor  and  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Chicago : 
Gentlemen:  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  having  learned  of  a 
petition  for  the  removal  of  the  shelter  and  fountain  which  it 
has  recently  erected  in  the  small  park,  known  as  Oak  Park, 
at  the  junction  of  Rush  and  State  Streets  and  Bellevue  Place, 
wish  to  present  to  your  honorable  body  the  following  statement : 

The  plan  for  this  improvement  was  presented  in  the  spring 
of  1900  to  the  Fine  Arts  Commission,  established  by  city 
ordinance,  consisting  of  the  following  gentlemen:  Charles  L. 
Hutchinson,  Lorado  Taft,  W.  L.  B.  Jenney,  J.  L.  Luddard,  (West 
Park),  W.  Donnersberger,  (South  Park),  W.  Gansbergen,  (Lin- 
coln), Honorable  Carter  H.  Harrison  and  Ralph  Clarkson.  It 
was  approved  by  them.  With  this  official  endorsement,  the  plan 
was  submitted  to  the  Common  Council  as  a  gift  of  the  Woman's 
Club  offered  to  the  city  of  Chicago.  Your  honorable  body 
accepted  the  gift  and  authorized  its  construction.  Circular  let- 
ters, containing  the  plan  and  a  perspective  view  of  the  proposed 
improvement,  were  mailed  to  the  property  owners  of  the  vicinity 
with  a  request  for  their  co-operation  and  suggestions.  Owing 
to  the  labor  difficulties  of  last  summer,  it  was  impossible  to 
complete  the  structure  in  time  for  the  planting  of  the  trees, 
shrubs  and  vines  which  are  an  integral  part  of  the  design.  With 
the  same  co-operation  you  have  thus  far  extended  to  us,  this 
work  will  be  completed  in  the  spring."  Mrs.  Coonley  Ward 
moved  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  sustain  the  statement  of  the 
committee  to  the  Common  Council  concerning  the  improvement 
of  Bellevue  Place,  which  motion  prevailed. 

October  23,  1901,  Mrs.  Noyes  reported  for  the  Park  Com- 
mittee that  great  difficulty  had  been  encountered  in  getting  the 
park  in  proper  condition  to  turn  over  to  the  City,  that  it  was 
impossible  to  keep  it  in  perfect  shape  for  twenty-four  hours. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  203 

The  brick  floor  had  been  relaid,  brass  tips  were  put  in  at  Mr. 
Long's  expense  and  remained  just  one  day.  A  brass  stand  pipe 
was  removed  the  first  day.  A  galvanized  iron  one  was  screwed 
in  and  that  was  removed,  then  at  Mrs.  Noyes'  expense  one  was 
soldered  in  and  that  was  removed.  It  was  also  stated  that  it 
was  impossible  to  obtain  further  police  protection  from  the 
City.  The  following  March  $50  were  voted  for  repairs  to 
the  shelter  at  Bellevue  Place  Park  and  in  October  1902  it  was 
reported  that  all  bills  for  the  shelter  had  been  paid,  and  the 
Commissioners  understood  that  the  Club's  responsibility  in  the 
matter  ceased. 

February  15,  1898,  Mrs.  Alexander  Adam  reported  for  the 
Art  Purchasing  Committee  the  picture  purchased  at  the  exhibit 
of  Chicago  artists,  to  be  "St.  Jeanne  de  Chantal"  by  Pauline 
Dohn.  April  28,  1899,  the  Art  Purchasing  Committee  bought 
two  pictures  by  Oliver  Dennett  Grover;  and  another  committee 
of  the  Gub  selected  "After  an  Autumn  Shower,"  painted  by 
Mrs.  Dressier.  The  Art  and  Literature  department  purchased  an 
oil  painting  entitled  "October,"  by  Leonard  Ochtman,  and  one  of 
Carroll  Brown's  pictures. 

November  8,  1899,  a  reception  for  social  settlement  clubs 
was  held,  on  the  fourth  Saturday  in  January.  November  8, 
1899,  the  Hampton  Quartette  was  given  the  use  of  the  Club 
Rooms  on  Nov.  18,  each  member  being  allowed  to  bring  one  guest. 
December  13,  1899,  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  offered  the  use 
of  the  rooms  to  the  delegates  of  the  National  Education  Associa- 
tion which  met  in  Chicago  in  February.  The  Education  Depart- 
ment requested  that  the  Club  tender  a  reception  to  the  National 
Education  Association  during  its  convention.  The  artists  of 
the  city  were  invited  to  the  President's  reception  held  November 
8,  1899.  May,  1900,  the  Social  Committee  was  instructed  to 
arrange  for  entertainment  of  delegates  to  the  Biennial  passing 
through  the  city  of  Milwaukee. 

A  communication  was  read  from  Miss  Gertrude  Beeks, 
May  3,  1899  in  behalf  of  the  National  Association  of  Women 
Stenographers  and  it  was  voted  that  $100.00  be  guaranteed  to 
the  Association  by  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club. 


204  ANNALS  OF  THE 

January  25,  1899  the  committee  to  secure  manual  train- 
ing in  the  public  schools  reported  that  eleven  centers  for  the 
teaching  of  cooking  and  sewing  were  to  be  opened  during  the 
month;  that  2,000  girls  were  receiving  instruction  in  cooking. 
The  classes  had  most  admirable  courses  of  study.  Not  only  did  the 
girls  receive  most  practical  lessons  in  cooking,  but  they  were 
also  instructed  in  a  natural  and  interesting  way  in  chemistry, 
botany,  zoology,  biology  and  arithmetic,  while  first  and  last  they 
were  taught  accuracy,  neatness  and  despatch.  Ten  sewing 
teachers  were  employed  in  public  schools  and  4,000  girls  re- 
ceived instruction  in  sewing. 

February  22,  1899  the  first  circular  letter  was  issued  by  the 
Committee  on  Industrial  Problems  affecting  Women  and  Chil- 
dren. The  Reform  Department  presented  three  bills  for  endorse- 
ment as  follows : 

1st.  For  an  Act  granting  tax  paying  women  the  right  to 
vote  on  certain  questions. 

2d.  An  Act  granting  women  the  right  to  vote  and  partici- 
pate in  town  meetings  and  elections. 

3d.  An  Act  granting  women  the  right  to  vote  for  presi- 
dential electors. 

April  19,  1899,  the  President  introduced  as  the  speakers 
Dr.  Eaton  of  Beloit  College  and  Mrs.  Ella  F.  Young,  Assistant 
Superintendent  of  Schools,  of  Chicago,  Dr.  Eaton's  subject 
being  "College  Education  as  an  Equipment  for  the  Public  School 
Teachers,"  Mrs.  Young's  theme,  "Specialization  by  Teachers  in 
Elementary  Schools." 

The  annual  report  of  the  Recording  Secretary  dated  April 
29,  1899  states:  The  following  Committees  have  been  ap- 
pointed and  have  submitted  reports  both  to  the  Club  and  their 
Departments :  A  Committee  to  secure  better  sanitary  conditions 
in  public  schools,  probation  work  for  children  in  police  stations, 
jail  school,  university  settlements,  school  laws,  manual  training 
in  public  schools  including  household  arts,  sewing  and  cooking, 
compulsory  school  education,  art  association,  library,  Glenwoad 
school,  vacation  school,  program,  Educational  Commission  bill, 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  205 

Rogers  bill,  Parental  School  bill,  Bar  Association  bill,  for  the 
complete  separation  of  the  John  Worthy  School  from  the  Bride- 
well, for  visiting  County  institutions,  Protective  Agency,  Model 
Lodging  House,  School  Children's  Aid  Society,  Public  School 
Art  Society. 

The  Corresponding  Secretary  states  in  her  report  of  the 
same  date:  "The  one  who  sends  the  messages  of  the  Club  to 
every  part  of  the  world  and  receives  replies,  knows  how  large 
we  look  at  a  distance  by  the  number  of  founders  of  clubs  who 
send  for  our  pattern  of  work,  by  which  to  cut  out  a  club  taking 
the  measure  exact,  even  to  our  by-laws  that  are  everlastingly 
needing  repairs ;  but  they,  too,  will  learn  wisdom  with  age. 

The  Needs  of  a  Great  City,  taken  as  a  topic  for  the  United 
Study  Class  has  brought  us  the  representatives  of  the  press,  the 
prominent  city  officials,  judges  and  others  well  up  in  the  affairs 
of  city  and  state." 

The  Philanthropy  Department  reported  April  26,  that  it 
was  contributing  toward  paying  a  teacher  for  partially  feeble 
minded  children,  that  is,  children  who  could  not  be  sent  to  an 
institution  for  feeble  minded,  and  yet  who  are  not  ready  for 
the  public  school.  The  following  October,  Mary  McDowell  re- 
ported on  the  summer  school  for  the  feeble  minded  children. 
It  was  voted  to  unite  with  the  Reform  Department  to  pay  a 
month's  salary  for  an  assistant  to  Mrs.  Alzina  P.  Stevens  in 
the  probation  work.  The  Education  Department  recommended 
October  1899,  that  engineers  and  janitors  of  school  buildings 
in  which  kindergartens  are  held,  be  required  to  scrub  floors  every 
two  weeks  and  be  allowed  one  dollar  per  room  for  such  serv- 
ice. The  chairman  further  stated:  "The  pleasure  of  Mrs. 
Brown's  visit  awakened  in  many  of  us  the  desire  that  later  mem- 
bers of  the  Education  Department  might  be  made  acquainted 
with  the  great  work  of  our  first  chairman,  Mrs.  Tuley,  who  in 
the  infancy  of  the  Department  so  persistently  led  it  to  the  en- 
couragement of  the  kindergarten." 

The  freedom  of  the  Club  was  offered  to  the  members  of 
the  Department  of  Superintendents  of  the  National  Education 


206  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Association  to  be  held  in  Chicago,  February  22,  23  and  24,  1900. 
The  committee  announced  that  the  Philanthropy  Department 
would  hold  a  book  social  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  W.  C.  Dow,  April 
6.  Each  member  was  requested  to  bring  a  book,  preferably 
a  book  of  reference,  to  be  given  to  the  women's  clubs  of  the 
social  settlements. 

In  January,  1900,  the  subject  "Tenement  Houses"  was  dis- 
cussed by  Mrs.  Henry  Wade  Rogers,  Mrs.  F.  P.  Bagley  and 
Miss  Jane  Addams.  A  stereopticon  was  used  by  Mrs.  Rogers 
portraying  most  vividly  the  conditions  of  tenement  houses  in 
Chicago,  New  York  and  Philadelphia. 

At  its  February  meeting  a  discussion  arose  in  the  Educa- 
tion Department  upon  the  subject  of  teaching  physiology  in  Pub- 
lic Schools.  A  resolution  was  passed  that  the  Education  De- 
partment of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  is  opposed  to  the  present 
exaggerated  and  unscientific  features  of  the  State  law  requiring 
the  public  school  teaching  of  the  effect  of  alcoholic  drinks  and 
other  narcotics  on  the  human  system. 

April  11,  1900,  the  following  cablegram  was  authorized  by 
the  Board  and  sent  to  Ferdinand  Peck,  Commissioner  Paris 
Exposition :  "The  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club,  representing  850  women,  urge  the  appointment  of  women 
as  members  of  the  juries  of  award  of  the  Paris  Exposition  and 
as  delegates  to  the  several  congresses." 

In  April,  1895,  a  lecture  was  given  before  the  Art  and  Lit- 
erature Department  by  Mr.  Harry  Clapp,  Shakespearean  critic. 
On  April  23,  1896,  a  Shakespeare  birthday  celebration  was  held 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Department,  of  which  Mrs.  George 
F.  Bartlett  was  then  chairman.  April  23,  1897,  an  evening 
reception  was  given  in  celebration  of  the  birthday,  and  a  year 
later  a  Shakespearean  musicale  was  given  on  the  20th  of  April 
in  Handel  Hall.  In  1900  when  April  23  came,  the  Depart- 
ment had  reached  the  climax  of  a  two  years'  study  and  kept  the 
birthday  most  royally  in  honor  of  the  lady  who  had  so  faith- 
fully led  the  study  class,  Mrs.  Martha  Foote  Crow.  The  pro- 
gram and  full  report  of  this  celebration  were  bound  and  pre- 
sented to  the  Club  for  the  library. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  207 

The  subject  taken  for  lectures  by  the  Home  Department 
during  the  winter  of  1896  showed  the  continued  interests  of  the 
Club  in  science  as  it  applied  to  the  problems  of  the  home.  In 
November  the  Education  Department  reported  a  committee  on 
Domestic  Science,  and  the  Club  decided  to  co-operate  with  the 
Department  in  furthering  the  objects  of  the  Business  Women's 
Exchange  in  the  domestic  science  branch.  A  committee  of 
three  was  appointed  to  study  the  necessities  of  the  work.  The 
Philanthropy  Department  also  wished  to  establish  schools  for 
the  training  of  girls  in  sewing,  housekeeping  and  other  useful 
arts.  In  October,  1900,  the  committee  of  the  Education  De- 
partment consulted  with  housekeepers  and  teachers  of  domestic 
science  as  to  possible  standards  for  the  work. 

December,  1900,  Mrs.  Blackman,  who  was  one  of  the  State 
Board  of  Control  of  the  State  Home  for  Juvenile  Female  Of- 
fenders, gave  to  the  Philanthropy  Department  an  interesting 
report  of  that  home,  located  at  Geneva.  She  wished  the  co- 
operation and  help  of  the  women  of  this  Club  where  its  influence 
might  be  felt,  for  the  bill  to  be  presented  to  the  Legislature  for 
raising  the  age  limit  at  which  they  can  control  these  wayward  girls. 
They  were  compelled  to  discharge  them  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years,  and  they  desired  above  all  things  to  keep  and  influence  them 
until  the  age  of  twenty-one.  It  would  also  be  necessary  to  appeal 
to  the  Legislature  to  make  a  very  desirable  change  in  the  name  of 
this  institution — "State  Home  for  Juvenile  Female  Offenders" 
did  not  sound  like  a  20th  century  title  to  adorn  any  doorway 
arch  in  Illinois.  "State  Home  for  Girls"  was  the  title  asked  for. 

The  following  chronicle  concerning  the  vacation  school 
work  is  taken  from  the  Club  records: 

May  6,  1896,  the  President  stated  that  a  proposition  was 
in  contemplation  to  provide  for  the  teaching  of  children  in  the 
congested  districts  during  the  summer.  Through  the  generosity 
of  a  few,  a  Vacation  School  was  conducted  in  the  Joseph  Medill 
School,  with  an  attendance  of  360  children.  In  1897  Vacation 
Schools  were  maintained  in  the  Seward  and  Jones  Schools,  each 
costing  $1,000.00.  The  Vacation  School  Committee  in  the  in- 


208  ANNALS  OF  THE 

terest  of  the  movement  invited  the  women's  clubs  of  the  city  to 
send  representatives  to  a  joint  committee  on  vacation  schools 
and  playgrounds  and  asked  permission  to  use  the  club  rooms 
for  the  necessary  meetings.  Further  in  the  interest  of  the  move- 
ment, it  deemed  it  necessary  to  hold  a  mass  meeting  when  the 
Superintendent  would  give  an  illustrated  lecture  and  the  mat- 
ter might  be  presented  to  the  clubs  at  large.  It  therefore  asked 
permission  to  arrange  for  a  special  day  on  Vacation  Schools.  It 
also  asked  for  $25  for  stationery,  mailing  and  other  expenses — 
these  requests  were  granted. 

The  Vacation  School  Committee  reported  by  Miss  Ameri- 
can, Chairman,  as  follows:  51  clubs  have  responded  to  the  in- 
vitation to  form  a  Permanent  Vacation  School  and  Playground 
Committee  of  Women's  Clubs;  13  of  the  51  are  suburban  clubs. 
The  Committee  meets  the  second  Saturday  of  each  month  in 
our  rooms.  Its  meetings  have  been  very  well  attended.  Each 
club  has  two  delegates  and  two  alternates,  and  in  many  cases 
all  attend.  Several  clubs  will  give  benefit  entertainments  during 
the  month.  The  Club  hopes  to  raise  $1,000  and  again  support 
one  school.  Officers  of  the  Permanent  Committee  of  the  Va- 
cation Schools  of  Woman's  Clubs  were:  President,  Sadie 
American,  Chicago  Woman's  Club;  Recording  Secretary,  Mrs. 
M.  Trumbull,  Social  Economics  Club;  Corresponding  Secretary, 
Mrs.  Julia  Dillon,  Catholic  Woman's  League;  Treasurer,  E.  G. 
Keith,  President  Metropolitan  Bank.  53  clubs  have  each  two 
delegates  and  two  alternates  in  the  committee. 

Among  the  first  acts  of  the  Committee  was  the  election  of 
a  Vacation  School  Board,  composed  of  the  following  members : 
Col.  Francis  E.  Parker,  Principal  of  the  Normal  School;  Prof. 
F.  W.  Jackman,  of  the  Chicago  Normal  School;  Prof.  Gabriel 
Bamberger,  head  of  the  Jewish  Training  School;  Mr.  H.  H. 
Belfield,  Principal  of  the  Chicago  Manual  Training  School; 
Profs.  J.  M.  Coulter  and  Charles  Zeublin,  of  the  University; 
Dean  Charles  Thurber,  of  the  Morgan  Park  Academy;  Prof. 
George  Carman,  head  of  the  Lewis  Institute ;  Mrs.  Bertha  Hof er 
Hegner,  Chicago  Commons;  Miss  Anna  Bryan,  of  the  Armour 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  209 

Institute  Training  School;  Miss  Jane  Addams,  of  Hull  House; 
Mr.  John  P.  Gavit,  of  the  Commons;  Miss  Mary  McCowan, 
supervisor  of  the  Teaching  of  the  Deaf,  and  Sadie  American. 

The  Chairman,  Sadie  American,  reported  in  1899 :  In  order 
that  the  schools  might  be  taken  into  our  public  school  system  it 
became  necessary  to  submit  an  amendment  to  our  school  revenue 
law  to  the  legislature.  That  law  restricted  the  use  of  school 
funds  to  nine  months  of  the  year.  Judge  Hurd  kindly  drew 
the  amendment  and  Mrs.  Dillon  and  Mrs.  Beebe  went  to  Spring- 
field on  the  7th  of  February  to  present  the  matter  before  the 
educational  committees  of  the  Senate  and  House.  The  Bill  was 
finally  passed  at  6:30  on  the  last  day  of  the  session.  The  work 
of  the  Woman's  Club  in  this  direction  is  looked  upon  as  one  of 
signal  benefit  to  the  cause  of  education.  It  is  worth  emphasiz- 
ing that  whereas  in  other  cities  the  motive  was  almost  entirely 
the  one  of  off-setting  the  evil  of  the  street,  in  Chicago  it  was 
the  educational  ideal;  the  best  service  to  the  child  was  upper- 
most. 

In  1900  the  Committee  reports :  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
has  during  the  past  two  years  contributed  its  one  thousand  dollars 
toward  the  school.  We  had  expected  the  Board  of  Education  to 
take  up  the  schools  this  year  and  the  members  were  even  eager 
to  do  so,  but  the  financial  situation  made  it  necessary  for  the 
Board  to  refuse  our  request,  but  with  the  strongly  expressed  hope 
that  in  another  year  they  would  be  able  to  take  up  the  work  as  a 
part  of  the  school  system. 

The  city  has  each  year  contributed  one  thousand  dollars 
for  playgrounds,  to  which  our  committee  has  added  one  thou- 
sand more.  Our  playgrounds  have  been  successful  according 
as  our  custodians  have  been  equal  to  the  problem  of  particular 
neighborhoods. 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  Vacation  School  upon  which  so 
many  of  you  have  spent  your  time  and  money  has  been  one 
justified  by  its  results,  and  that  at  the  present  moment  there 
is  a  very  great  need  for  more  careful  and  elaborate  object  les- 
sons in  the  playgrounds,  especially  with  the  prospect  of  having 


210  ANNALS  OF  THE 

small  parks,  a  part  of  which  should  be  given  over  to  out-door 
gymnasia.  The  delightful  impression  of  the  beautiful  poster 
which  Mrs.  Perkins  designed  for  our  playgrounds  was  a  joy 
to  the  children  and  a  joy  to  many  of  us.  We  are  sending  these 
posters  as  an  object  lesson  where  there  are  playgrounds. 

The  Settlement  clubs  are  active  and  we  express  appreciation 
of  the  heartiness  and  generosity  of  the  various  settlement  clubs 
in  contributing  to  the  general  fund.  Indeed  they  have  set  the 
pace,  and  the  Hull  House  Woman's  Club  contributed  more  to  the 
fund  than  several  of  the  largest  clubs  in  the  city.  When  so  much 
money  is  needed  in  the  immediate  neighborhoods  of  these  clubs 
and  the  Vacation  Schools  are  not  put  in  the  neighborhoods 
through  force  of  circumstances,  it  is  especially  generous  of  them 
to  contribute  so  largely. 

Last  year  $1,000  was  secured  from  the  city  for  playgrounds, 
and  $1,000  in  addition  was  expended  from  the  general  fund, 
and  six  playgrounds  were  maintained.  This  year  the  sum  in 
the  treasury  is  so  much  smaller  than  last  year  that  we  have  no 
money  whatever  for  playgrounds.  The  $1,000  was,  however, 
again  appropriated  by  the  city,  through  our  soliciting. 

Last  summer  four  vacation  schools  were  maintained  at  an 
average  cost  of  $1,500  each.  This  year  three  schools  will  be 
maintained  as  we  have  not  funds  for  more,  and  they  will  be 
in  the  same  school  buildings  as  last  year,  namely:  The  Foster 
on  the  West  Side,  the  Adams  on  the  North  Side  and  the  Haven 
on  the  South  Side.  The  playgrounds  so  far  as  possible  will  be 
the  same  as  last  year. 

Seven  years  later  the  Vacation  School  Committee  treasurer 
showed  appropriation  from  the  Board  of  Education  of  $10,000 
to  be  used  for  teachers'  salaries,  and  contributions  from  Clubs 
and  individuals  amounting  to  more  than  $14,000  were  in  the 
treasury,  which  would  be  necessary  to  carry  on  ten  schools. 

Gertrude  B.  Blackwelder,  Chairman  of  Permanent  Vaca- 
tion School  Committee  contributes  this  sketch  of  the  Commit- 
tee's work: 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  211 

"The  first  Vacation  School  in  Chicago  was  established  by 
the  Civic  Federation  in  1896  in  the  Medill  High  School.  The 
next  year  Mary  McDowell,  with  funds  contributed  by  two 
Chicago  women,  opened  one  school  in  the  stock  yards  district. 
Then  an  active  campaign  was  started  in  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  by  Sadie  American,  and  a  work  which  proved  to  be 
one  of  the  most  successful  and  important  ever  undertaken  by 
the  Club  was  fully  launched  in  1897.  We  learned  that  with  the 
close  of  the  regular  sessions  of  the  public  schools  a  period  of 
danger  began  for  the  children  who  had  the  misfortune  to  live 
in  the  heart  of  a  great  city. 

Teachers  reported  that  many  a  child  had  forgotten,  when 
school  opened  in  fall,  about  all  he  had  learned  the  previous  year, 
— that  summer  was  a  prolific  time  for  the  development  of  boy 
crime.  In  one  district  it  was  found  that  juvenile  crime  in- 
creased 60%  during  the  summer.  We  were  told  that  the  pro- 
posed schools  would  not  continue  the  routine  of  the  school  year, 
that  no  text  books  would  be  used,  that  the  aim  would  be  to 
create  new  interests  which  would  touch  human  life  closely. 

As  the  members  of  the  Woman's  Club  became  acquainted 
with  these  conditions  and  plans,  they  saw  before  them  a  work 
of  too  great  magnitude  to  carry  on  single-handed.  Therefore, 
in  1897,  an  invitation  was  sent  to  the  more  important  clubs  of 
the  city  and  suburbs  to  meet  in  conference  on  the  need  for  Va- 
cation Schools. 

The  result  was  the  organization  among  the  club  women  of 
the  "Permanent  Vacation  School  and  Playground  Committee," 
whose  duty  was  to  raise  funds  for  the  expenses  of  the  summer 
work.  This  was  soon  supplemented  by  the  formation  of  the 
Vacation  School  Board,  composed  of  the  foremost  educators 
of  the  community,  who  determined  the  curriculum,  elected  the 
superintendent  and  chose  the  schools  to  be  used.  Nothing  shows 
more  clearly  the  wisdom  of  the  early  leaders  in  this  movement 
than  the  choice  of  specialists  of  the  highest  rank  for  this  most 
important  work. 


212  ANNALS  OF  THE 

The  work  was  begun  in  earnest  in  January  1898,  with  the 
result  that  nearly  eleven  thousand  dollars  were  secured,  and 
five  schools  opened  on  July  5,  continuing  for  six  weeks.  Only 
two  thousand  children  could  be  received,  although  more  than 
six  thousand  applied  for  admission.  The  police  were  called 
upon  to  control  the  throng  of  eager  parents  and  children  who 
crowded  the  yards  and  streets  outside, — an  occurrence  unprece- 
dented in  the  history  of  our  public  schools,  but  which  was 
always  a  feature  on  the  opening  days  of  the  summer  schools 
during  those  early  years. 

The  curriculum, — to  quote  from  the  report  of  1898, — com- 
prised manual  training,  drawing,  gymnastics,  music,  nature 
study, — all  centering  around  a  weekly  excursion.  A  kinder- 
garten was  an  interesting  and  important  feature  of  each  school, 
— the  necessity  for  which  was  apparent  to  all  who  walked 
through  the  neighboring  streets,  swarming  with  child  life.  Later, 
cooking  was  introduced  wherever  an  equipment  could  be  secured, 
and  gradually  classes  in  all  departments  of  housekeeping  were 
established, — their  methods  varying  according  to  the  kind  of 
furnishings  available.  In  one  school  a  basement  was  divided 
into  rooms  by  means  of  screens,  thus  arranging  a  typical  apart- 
ment of  the  sort  familiar  to  the  girls.  Here  they  were  taught, 
not  only  to  cook,  but  to  set  a  table, — an  art  utterly  unknown 
to  many, — and  to  care  for  bedrooms  in  a  sanitary  manner.  They 
learned  how  to  scrub  floors  by  the  Squeers  method,  and  en- 
joyed it  thoroughly.  In  1905  a  flat  was  rented  near  the  Ham- 
line  School,  furniture  collected  by  various  means,  chiefly  from 
second-hand  stores, — and  a  concrete  lesson  in  economical,  sani- 
tary and  comfortable  housekeeping  was  given  the  girls.  Allied 
to  this  domestic  training  was  the  effort  to  teach  simple,  prac- 
tical home  nursing,  with  emphasis  on  the  care  of  babies.  In 
these  districts  it  is  the  older  children  who  often  care  for  the 
infants,  and  their  ignorance  is  both  dense  and  dangerous.  It 
was  soon  found  that  manual  training  was  the  powerful  magnet 
that  drew  the  boys  from  the  streets  into  the  Vacation  Schools. 
Enough  variety  was  furnished  to  appeal  to  different  types  of 
boys,  and  the  joy  of  making  things,  especially  things  that  could 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  213 

be  used  at  home,  was  a  strong  factor  in  training  their  youthful 
activities.  This  work  also  developed  year  by  year  until  for 
both  boys  and  girls  there  were  classes  in  wood,  metal,  leather, 
pottery,  printing,  etc. 

Nature  study  was  always  a  prominent  feature,  and  was 
usually  taught  with  material  fresh  each  day  from  the  country, 
gathered  either  by  teachers  who  spared  neither  time  nor  strength, 
or  by  friends  in  the  suburban  clubs.  The  children  soon  learned 
to  co-operate,  and  in  some  schools  greeted  their  teachers  each 
morning  with  boxes  and  bottles  containing  specimens  for  their 
nature  work, — so  that  at  times  the  lesson  was  on  materials 
found  in  the  neighborhood  with  which  the  pupils  were  familiar. 
Many  teachers  seized  the  golden  opportunity  for  developing  the 
imagination  by  telling  nature  myths  and  fairy  stories  illustrating 
the  lesson.  It  was  the  policy  to  have  the  work  correlated  as  far 
as  possible,  and  to  this  end  the  drawing  was  often  a  part  of  the 
nature  work, — the  songs  were  of  birds  and  trees  and  flowers. 

There  was  no  formal  teaching  of  music  in  the  Vacation 
Schools.  The  joy  of  singing  was  developed  with  great  success. 
Nature  songs,  songs  of  patriotism,  of  industry,  slumber  songs 
of  different  nations,  and  simple  ballads  replaced  in  the  reper- 
tory of  the  child  the  vulgar,  popular  songs  of  the  streets  and 
the  homes.  The  first  program  for  the  music  and  games  was 
arranged  by  Mari  Ruef  Hofer. 

The  art  work  progressed  year  by  year,  until  the  instruc- 
tion in  drawing  and  color  was  followed  by  classes  in  pottery 
and  in  useful  arts  like  designing.  There  were  always  industri- 
ous classes  in  sewing,  the  girls  finding  great  satisfaction  in 
learning  to  make  garments  for  themselves  and  the  members  of 
their  families. 

The  splendid  work  in  physical  training  attracted  special  at- 
tention. The  wonderful  influence  of  a  man  like  Mr.  Cermak 
in  the  Dante  School,  as  he  took  class  after  class  of  rough  boys 
from  the  streets  of  that  district,  and  brought  them  into  ways 
of  obedience  and  even  courtesy,  went  far  beyond  ordinary 
gymnastic  training.  It  helped  to  make  character.  There  was 


214  ANNALS  OF  THE 

much  emphasis  laid  upon  games,  and  the  discovery  soon  was 
made  that  most  of  the  children  that  attended  Vacation  Schools 
had  had  no  experience  with  organized  play, — that  many  of  them 
knew  not  a  single  game.  The  ideas  of  order,  of  discipline,  of 
regard  for  the  rights  of  others  which  developed  in  the  games 
taught  in  the  summer  schools  were  among  the  important  re- 
sults to  be  noted,  and  were  often  concrete,  though  unconscious, 
lessons  in  citizenship.  The  influence  of  story-telling  was  felt 
to  be  so  strong  that  many  of  the  teachers  utilized  it  as  a  basis 
for  teaching.  In  1906  its  importance  as  a  regular  exercise  -,vas 
recognized  by  the  Board,  and  a  young  woman  with  a  gift  for 
story-telling  was  engaged  to  go  about  from  school  to  school. 

In  the  beginning  the  scheme  of  Vacation  Schools  provided 
for  one  excursion  each  week  for  each  school.  This  plan  was 
carried  out  with  little  variation  as  long  as  the  women's  clubs 
had  charge.  The  trips  were  sometimes  to  the  country,  thus 
affording  an  experience  entirely  new  to  hundreds  of  children, 
to  whom  a  hill  was  a  remarkable  sight, — trees  and  tall  grass, 
wonderful  phenomena, — sometimes  to  the  shore  of  the  lake, 
affording  the  delights  of  wading  and  sand-digging, — or  to  the 
Field  Museum  or  a  natatorium,  or  Lincoln  Park,  where  the 
acquaintance  of  many  strange  beasts  was  made.  One  enthusi- 
astic superintendent  speaks  of  the  'ecstatic  joy  that  comes  to  the 
child  of  the  congested  sections  of  the  city,  when  he  feels  the 
breath  of  the  fresh  breeze,  sees  the  shady  groves,  the  blue  lake, 
the  gay  flower  gardens,  and  the  well-cared  for  plots  of  grow- 
ing vegetables, — and  if  perchance  he  sights  colts,  goslings  or 
little  pigs,  then  indeed  is  his  excitement  keen.'  The  boat  trips 
on  the  lake,  which  sometimes  included  all  the  schools  in  one 
grand  excursion  on  the  Christopher  Columbus,  were  perhaps 
the  greatest  events  connected  with  the  summer  schools. 

Altogether  the  exercises  given  these  children  were  whole- 
some, suited  to  their  needs,  supplying  certain  deficiencies  in 
their  lives,  furnishing  ideals  of  living,  and  cultivating  powers 
of  observation  hitherto  neglected.  It  is  an  interesting  fact  that 
without  exception  the  lines  of  work  in  the  Vacation  Schools  of 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  215 

those  early  years  have  found  a  lodgment  in  the  regular  schools. 
They  were,  as  was  often  said,  experiment  stations  for  new 
and  usually  unpopular  educational  methods. 

In  1909,  the  Board  of  Education  made  the  Vacation  Schools 
an  integral  part  of  the  city  system,  and  the  women's  clubs  re- 
tired from  the  management  of  this  important  work.  The  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club  from  the  beginning  had  taken  the  lead  in 
furnishing  funds,  officers  and  helpers.  The  three  Chairmen  who 
served  during  the  ten  years, — Miss  American,  Mesdames  Bry- 
ant and  Blackwelder, — were  members  of  this  club.  With  con- 
tributions from  the  treasury,  from  each  of  the  six  departments 
and  from  generous  individuals,  our  organization  averaged  one 
thousand  dollars  each  year  for  this  work." 


216  ANNALS  OF  THE 

CHAPTER  VII. 

1900-1905 

The  general  topic  for  the  season  of  1900-1901  was  "The 
New  Century,  a  Study  of  Modern  Civilization,  Its  Social  and 
Educational  Tendencies."  The  first  program  was  as  follows: 
"Democracy :  a  Review  and  an  Outlook,"  by  Judge  A.  N.  Water- 
man; "The  Ethics  of  Popular  Government,"  by  John  W.  Ela. 

In  October,  1900,  the  Club  joined  in  sending  a  petition  to 
the  Board  of  Education,  requesting  that  the  kindergartens 
should  not  be  closed ;  it  expressed  itself  as  opposed  to  the  drop- 
ping of  the  study  of  domestic  science,  which  was  under  con- 
sideration. In  November,  1900,  a  petition  was  sent  to  the  Pres- 
ident of  the  United  States  to  call  the  attention  of  Congress  in 
his  next  message  to  the  many  deaths  by  mob  violence  and  to 
recommend  such  legislation  as  shall  secure  to  every  person  ac- 
cused of  crime  a  trial  by  jury.  During  December,  1900,  the 
Club  presented  to  Judge  Yates,  Governor-elect  of  Illinois, 
the  qualifications  of  Florence  Kelley,  at  that  time  secre- 
tary of  the  Consumers'  League,  to  fill  the  position  of 
Chief  Factory  Inspector  of  Illinois.  Mrs.  Kelley's  record 
as  an  incumbent  of  that  position  was  well  known  as  she  had 
already  reformed  numerous  abuses  in  the  system  and  had  se- 
cured much-needed  legislation;  and  if  reappointed,  would  by 
her  knowledge  of  conditions  and  energy  place  Illinois  in  the  front 
rank  of  the  states  noted  for  good  factory  laws.  A  joint  com- 
mittee from  the  Reform  and  Philanthropy  Departments  was 
named  to  further  the  passage  of  a  bill  to  provide  and  maintain 
an  epileptic  colony.  On  December  5,  the  "School  as  a  Social 
Center"  was  discussed. 

In  April,  1901,  the  Open  Door  Committee  reported  that  the 
meetings  had  been  crowded  and  the  programs  enthusiastically 
received  by  those  in  attendance,  and  the  committee  in  charge 
urged  their  continuance  as  a  means  of  communicating  to  the 
outside  world  the  message  of  the  Woman's  Club.  One  audi- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  217 

ence  numbered  three  hundred  and  fifty  and  others  have 
numbered  between  one  and  two  hundred.  Miss  Clara  Dixon 
was  the  indefatigable  chairman,  with  a  committee  appointed 
from  all  the  Departments.  The  Open  Door  offered  the  hos- 
pitality of  our  Club  on  Sunday  afternoon  to  women  who 
are  not  members,  and  passed  on  to  them  some  of  the 
finest  papers  and  best  music  we  ourselves  had  enjoyed.  A 
year  later  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  reports,  "Our 
president,  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Matz,  has  not  missed  once  be- 
ing present,  and  has  received  our  guests  with  a  joint  com- 
mittee from  the  Woman's  Club  and  the  Young  Women's  Busi- 
ness Club.  Seven  of  the  ten  programs  given  this  season  were 
furnished  by  members  of  this  Department.  Music  has  been  a 
feature  of  all  programs,  which  have  been  instructive  as  well  as 
interesting,  and  thoroughly  appreciated  by  large  audiences  each 
time."  At  the  last  meeting,  March  30,  one  of  the  young  women 
on  behalf  of  those  present,  voiced  their  gratitude  to  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  for  the  privilege  of  meeting  Sunday  afternoons 
in  the  Club  rooms,  and  their  enjoyment  of  the  entertainments 
and  social  hour  provided  for  them  by  the  Club  members. 

The  Home  Department,  on  December  26,  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  ascertain  how  best  to  help  secure  books  and  periodicals 
and  forward  them  to  the  Philippines  and  wherever  needed  by 
our  army  and  navy.  This  committee  attended  to  the  packing 
and  forwarding.  The  different  Departments  contributed  books 
to  these  libraries.  January  9,  1901,  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
appropriated  $40,  to  be  used  by  the  Library  Committee  in  form- 
ing state  traveling  libraries.  The  Home  Department  reported 
February  6,  1901,  that  a  box,  containing  one  hundred  bound 
books,  twelve  dozen  magazines  and  forty  paper  bound  books, 
had  been  sent  to  the  Philippines  after  the  Club  had  been  ad- 
dressed by  Senor  Lopez  and  Mrs.  Glendower  Evans  of  Boston 
on  the  Philippine  Islands. 

February,  1901,  action  was  taken  by  the  Education  Depart- 
ment on  a  bill  prepared  for  the  Legislature  by  the  Citizen's  Edu- 
cation Commission.  The  bill  made  provision  for  the  incorpora- 


218  ANNALS  OF  THE 

tion  into  the  school  system  of  those  institutions  which  the  Club 
had  long  urged  should  be  integrally  connected  with  the  public 
school,  viz. :  Kindergartens,  vacation  schools,  night  schools, 
truant  and  parental  schools,  manual  training  and  domestic  science 
courses.  It  aimed  to  secure  civil  service  requirements  for  such 
employees  as  janitors,  and  to  make  the  required  qualifications  of 
teachers  more  than  a  mere  scholastic  test.  Recognizing  the  many 
factions  and  difficulties  besetting  the  Commission,  and  the  gen- 
eral merit  of  its  intent,  the  Department  voted  unanimously  to 
approve  the  bill  as  a  whole  in  its  essential  features,  and  the  chair- 
man was  directed  to  write  to  the  Commission  expressing  the  ap- 
proval of  the  Department.  Mrs.  Duncanson  was  appointed  by 
the  Commission  to  work  for  the  bill  at  Springfield.  November 
27,  1901,  the  Education  Department  turned  to  the  study  of 
"Education  in  the  High  Schools."  Mrs.  Ella  F.  Young,  in  her 
talk  on  the  "Present  Status  of  Preparatory  Schools,"  gave 
most  valuable  suggestions  about  adolescent  boys  and  girls.  On 
January  8,  1902,  the  Department  in  charge  of  the  Club  program 
presented  the  subject:  "Public  Schools  as  Social  Centers." 

March  5,  1902,  the  president  spoke  of  the  death  of  Colonel 
Parker,  and  said  that  the  Board  would  attend  the  memorial 
services  in  a  body.  The  loss  of  Colonel  Parker  as  an  educational 
power  in  this  city  was  appropriately  and  beautifully  expressed 
in  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the  Department,  April  23, 
1902.  Among  the  principles  of  this  truly  great  man  mentioned 
in  the  resolutions  was  the  following:  "He  realized  that  his 
calling  owed  more  and  not  less  service  to  the  deficient  than 
to  the  competent,  and  with  infinite  patience  he  toiled  to  let 
light  in  upon  darkened  lives." 

At  a  meeting  held  in  December,  1900,  the  Philanthropy 
Department  listened  to  a  graphic  description  of  their  work 
from  two  probation  officers  of  the  Juvenile  Court,  Mrs.  Falco- 
ner and  Mrs.  Franklin.  These  probation  officers  enroll  their 
boys  in  clubs  and  meet  with  them  once  a  week,  usually  at  one 
of  the  settlements.  In  this  way  they  gain  a  great  power  and 
influence  over  them.  Mrs.  Fannie  J.  Howe  reported  that  she 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  219 

had  become  interested  in  a  schoolroom  for  defective  children 
in  the  Schiller  School.  The  principal  was  very  anxious  to  fur- 
nish them  with  a  luncheon  every  morning,  thinking  that  lack 
of  nourishment  was  responsible  for  much  defectiveness.  Five 
dollars  was  given  to  the  Department  for  this  purpose  and  fifteen 
dollars  was  taken  from  the  treasury,  and  a  luncheon  of  bread 
and  milk  was  provided  for  these  defectives  every  morning  for 
ten  weeks.  The  Committee  to  visit  the  State  Training  School 
for  Girls  at  Geneva  was  a  new  one.  The  Department  was  much 
interested  in  the  reports  from  the  five  women,  who  in  rotation 
made  monthly  visits  to  Geneva.  They  reported  that  the  insti- 
tution was  no  longer  weighted  down  with  the  former  title,  "State 
Home  for  Juvenile  Female  Offenders,"  but  now  bears  the  of- 
ficial title  of  State  Training  School  for  Girls.  The  Committee 
on  Juvenile  Court  visited  small  semi-public  institutions,  caring 
for  children — institutions  under  private  control,  but  soliciting 
public  funds.  As  a  result  of  a  request  to  Governor  Yates,  the 
appointment  of  Mrs.  Howe,  of  the  Philanthropy  Department,  on 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  State  Home  for  Girls  at  Geneva 
was  announced  April  29,  1902. 

The  following  activities  were  reported  October  23,  1901, 
by  the  Reform  Department :  The  vote  to  support  an  anti-expecto- 
ration ordinance,  and  to  furnish  copies  of  the  ordinance  to  be 
placed  in  cars;  letters  were  sent  to  twenty  railway  and  street 
car  companies,  calling  attention  to  the  ordinance;  wards  of  the 
County  Guardian  were  entertained;  two  thousand  bundles  of 
flowers,  books,  magazines,  newspapers,  pictures  and  patchwork 
pieces  were  distributed  to  insane  patients  at  the  County  In- 
firmary; steps  were  taken  to  enact  and  enforce  laws  making  it 
incumbent  upon  saloons  to  prevent  admission  of  children  to 
saloons  for  any  purpose;  a  committee  was  appointed  to  inves- 
tigate conditions  in  Chicago  with  reference  to  a  place  for  such 
operations  as  that  performed  by  Dr.  Lorenz  of  Vienna;  an  ex- 
hibit of  Consumers'  League  garments  was  held  in  the  club- 
rooms. 

In  December,  1900,  the  Committee  of  the  Reform  Depart- 
ment to  Visit  County  Institutions  reported  a  visit  to  Dunning, 


220  ANNALS  OF  THE 

and  that  in  answer  to  the  question :  "In  what  way  can  the  Wom- 
an's Club  help?"  the  clerk  answered :  "The  only  thing  you  can  do 
is  to  care  for  the  children."  The  Committee  decided  to  devote 
its  efforts  as  far  as  possible  to  remove  all  children,  both  normal 
and  defective,  from  this  unnatural  environment.  It  was  sug- 
gested that  temporarily  a  separate  ward  and  dormitory  be  se- 
cured where  a  school  might  be  carried  on.  A  study  of  legal 
provisions  was  planned  in  order  to  know  what  laws  there  are 
and  how  they  can  be  enforced.  February,  1901,  the  Commit- 
tee reported  an  interview  with  one  of  the  County  Commission- 
ers interested  in  the  project  of  the  Committee  to  have  a  separate 
ward  given  up  to  the  care  of  those  children,  who  for  various 
reasons  cannot  be  removed  from  the  poor  house,  and  suggested 
that  more  chairs  and  cots  be  provided  for  the  epileptics.  Forty- 
two  normal  children  were  removed  from  Dunning  by  April, 
1902,  and  those  who  because  of  incurable  disease  could  not  be 
placed  in  families  or  institutions  were  given  thoughtful  care  by 
the  Committee.  After  untiring  work,  the  Committee  reported 
that  the  promise  of  the  President  and  Commissioners  of  the 
County  Board  had  been  given  that  a  separate  building  with  ample 
grounds  for  play  and  work,  separated  entirely  from  the  other 
buildings  and  grounds,  would  be  completed  that  summer.  In 
November,  1902,  the  Committee  stated  that  the  plans  for  the 
erection  of  the  Children's  Building  at  Dunning  had  met  unex- 
pected rebuffs.  "The  Commissioners,  temporarily  released  from 
the  spell  of  our  Committee,  decided  that  in  place  of  the  building 
promised  it  would  build  a  hospital  for  contagious  diseases  and 
give  the  children  a  ward  in  these  desirable  quarters.  Two  hours 
and  a  half  of  continuous  reasons  why  this  would  not  be  ac- 
ceptable shook  their  determination,  and  the  following  resolution 
was  passed  unanimously:  'Your  committee  recommends  that 
a  building  be  built  at  Dunning  for  general  purposes,  the  cost  of 
the  building  to  be  paid  from  the  building  fund.'  While  this 
will  not  bear  the  name  of  the  Children's  Building,  it  is  to  be  used 
for  them,  and  for  some  selected  fifty  inmates  from  the  aged 
women's  ward.  The  committee  from  the  Reform  Department 
will  be  consulted  regarding  plans,  will  have  the  honor  of  naming 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  221 

the  building,  which  is  to  be  under  the  watchful  care  of  each 
succeeding  Visiting  Committee  of  the  Reform  Department  of 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Club."  The  committee  secured  the  privi- 
lege of  removing  boys  from  Dunning  to  Glenwood.  In  1901, 
the  Reform  Department  pledged  itself  to  support  a  bill  to  pro- 
vide a  Home  School  for  paroled  boys  in  connection  with  the 
Juvenile  Court,  and  a  special  committee  was  appointed  to  se- 
cure the  use  of  school  rooms  for  boys'  clubs.  The  great  need 
for  a  deportation  law  for  Illinois,  including  one  for  Cook  County, 
was  also  reported  at  this  time.  The  Parental  School  Commit- 
tee proposed  a  friendly  supervision  over  the  Parental  School  for 
the  establishment  of  which  this  Club  had  done  such  hard  work. 
The  school  was  expected  to  open  in  December. 

The  Committee  on  Industrial  Progress  gave  a  series  of  en- 
tertainments for  the  purpose  of  informing  and  interesting  in- 
dustrial workers  and  clerks  in  the  history  and  processes  of  the 
creation  of  the  articles  with  which  they  are  connected.  The 
first  of  these  entertainments  was  given  November  22,  1901. 

November,  1901,  the  Committee  on  securing  public  schools 
as  social  centers  secured  permission  to  hold  entertainments  in 
the  Assembly  Hall  of  the  Franklin  School  on  Goethe  Street 
and  to  give  eight  entertainments  commencing  in  the  early  part 
of  January.  The  funds  necessary  were  to  be  raised  in  the  De- 
partment, and  six  of  the  eight  evenings  had  been  provided  for 
by  members  of  the  Department.  All  this  was  done  in  the  hope 
of  inducing  citizens  to  use  the  schools  as  neighborhood  club 
houses.  Going  by  the  schedule  of  prices  of  previous  years,  the 
Committee  arranged  not  only  the  programs  of  four  entertain- 
ments, for  the  school  in  which  they  should  be  given,  but  raised 
the  money  required.  Then  came  the  decision  of  the  Board  of 
Education  that  $10.50  per  evening  was  the  lowest  rate  that  could 
be  given.  The  Committee  felt  that  the  price  set  was  prohibitory, 
and  the  Department  decided  to  defer  its  efforts  until  such  time 
as  the  Board  of  Education  felt  rich  enough  to  let  the  public 
enjoy  its  own  buildinges  at  a  cheaper  rate. 


222  ANNALS  OF  THE 

In  March,  1903,  a  resolution  was  passed  by  the  Board  of 
Education,  to  open  schools,  as  a  concession,  free  of  charge  twice 
a  year  for  parents'  meetings  and  social  center  work. 

The  Philosophy  and  Science  Department  gave  the  follow- 
ing report  February,  1901 :  "We  have  given  $50  for  a  set  of 
tools  for  the  Industrial  School  for  Colored  Children  in  Sanders- 
ville,  Ga.,  conducted  by  Prof.  T.  J.  Elder.  At  first  sight  this 
cause  may  not  seem  exactly  in  our  line,  yet  it  is  good  philosophy 
to  help  in  the  education  of  the  poor  negroes  of  the  South,  and 
very  scientific  to  aid  them  in  their  endeavor  to  become  producers, 
and  thereby  to  increase  their  value  as  citizens." 

Several  resolutions  were  approved  by  the  Club,  February  7, 
1901 ;  the  Juul  bill  designed  to  make  fathers  and  mothers  equal 
in  guardianship  of  their  children;  adequate  legislation  to  secure 
a  colony  to  care  for  the  epileptics;  the  township  suffrage  bill. 

The  Committee  on  Legislation  laid  out  work  for  the  cur- 
rent year:  The  framing  of  a  bill  for  civil  service  in  public  in- 
stitutions, and  creation  of  sentiment  in  favor  of  such  a  bill; 
co-operation  with  the  Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Chil- 
dren in  a  bill  for  adequate  punishment  of  rape  to  be  presented  to 
the  same  legislature;  also  assistance  to  a  bill  to  be  presented  for 
erecting  and  maintaining  an  epileptic  colony  in  Illinois,  and  the 
enforcement  of  ordinances  forbidding  minors  to  enter  saloons 
for  any  purpose. 

The  question  of  the  appointment  of  women  on  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  Industrial  Training  School  for  Girls  at  Ge- 
neva, 111.,  was  presented  to  the  Club,  November,  1901,  by  Mrs. 
Holt  and  Mrs.  Harvey. 

From  1900  to  1905,  the  use  of  the  rooms  was  given  gra- 
tuitously to  many  organizations,  among  others :  Sunday  Lec- 
turing Association,  Home  Science  Bureau,  International  Kin- 
dergarten Union  for  its  convention,  Department  of  Superintend- 
ents of  National  Educational  Association,  Model  Lodging  House 
Benefit,  Flower  Mission,  National  Association  of  Business 
Women,  Playground  Convention  Committee,  Illinois  Federation 
of  Women's  Clubs,  Collegiate  Alumnae,  League  of  Cook  County 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  223 

Clubs,  Protective  Agency,  Public  School  Art  Society,  Equal  Suf- 
frage Association,  American  Historical  Society,  Woman's  Medi- 
cal Society,  Jackson  Park  Sanitarium,  League  of  Religious  Fel- 
lowship, the  Congress  of  Mothers,  Children's  Hospital  Society, 
Consumers'  League,  Finnish  Bazaar,  Vassar  Alumnae,  Swedish 
Society. 

The  following  resolutions  on  the  death  of  President  Mc- 
Kinley  were  sent  by  the  Club,  October  23,  1901 : 

During  the  month  of  September  the  nations  of  the  earth 
were  united  in  mourning  the  death  of  President  McKinley,  for 
on  his  worth  as  a  man  the  world  at  large  as  well  as  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States  are  in  entire  accord,  that  he  represented 
the  highest  type  of  American  manhood.  The  family  life  of  the 
late  President,  above  all  his  high  conception  of  his  duty  to  the 
wife  who  shared  his  sorrows,  his  joys,  and  his  triumphs,  has 
endeared  his  memory  to  all  women.  His  earthly  marriage  was 
a  foreshadow  of  the  sacred  tie  which  will  unite  husband  and 
wife  when  "Death  them  join."  Perhaps  to  no  man  of  this  day 
can  the  words  be  more  truthfully  applied :  "That  he  appears  as 
the  very  type  of  civilization,  of  the  manners  to  which  breeding, 
mind  and  character  add  each  their  charm,  which  can  show  feel- 
ing without  extravagance,  and  power  without  pride,  which  can 
convince  men  by  comprehending  them  and  control  by  a  smile." 

The  members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  desired  to 
express  their  sense  of  the  loss  which  the  country  sustained  in 
the  death  of  President  McKinley,  and  to  extend  their  sympathy 
to  Mrs.  McKinley. 

November  27,  1901,  the  President  read  a  letter  from  Mrs. 
McKinley  acknowledging  "with  grateful  appreciation  the  tender 
expressions  of  sympathy  extended  to  her  in  her  sorrow"  by 
the  Woman's  Club. 

March  20,  1901,  the  subject  of  a  paper  was:  "The  Rivers 
and  Mountains  of  Persian  Mythology."  The  discussion  was 
participated  in  by  Sister  Sanghamitta,  Countess  Canovarro,  a 
representative  of  the  Sanghamitta  order  of  India. 


224  ANNALS  OF  THE 

The  committee  in  charge  of  programs  for  the  business  meet- 
ings of  the  Club  reported  at  the  close  of  its  first  year's  work  that 
ample  material  had  been  provided  and  that  the  attendance  and 
the  interest  of  members  increased.  The  chairman  of  the  Art 
and  Literature  Committee  stated:  "When  a  competent  officer 
or  a  clever  paper  is  wanted,  names  are  suggested  for  their  fit- 
ness, not  because  one  department  or  another  must  have  what 
politicians  call  'recognition.'  In  this  respect  at  least,  club  poli- 
tics are  broader  and  more  unselfish  than  national  politics.  With 
us  there  is  no  east  or  west,  no  section,  no  department.  We 
are  not  Education  or  Home  women,  or  Art  and  Literature 
women.  We  are  wholly  and  single-mindedly  Woman's  Club 
women." 

May  17,  1901,  Mrs.  Coonley  Ward  addressed  the  Board  on 
the  question  of  the  Club  placing  itself  on  record  in  favor  of 
peace,  with  a  day  devoted  to  the  subject  of  "A  Plea  for  Action 
to  Promote  Peace."  A  committee  was  appointed  to  make  ar- 
rangements for  a  peace  conference  meeting  on  the  fifth  Wednes- 
day in  January. 

The  subject  for  the  United  Study  Class  for  1901-1902,  was : 
"What  Shall  the  Woman's  Club  Do  For  Chicago?"  Eleven 
meetings  were  planned,  the  first  five  of  which  were  devoted  to 
a  study  of  industrial  conditions  in  and  about  Chicago  as  fol- 
lows: "The  Steel  Industry  in  Chicago,"  Mrs.  Solomon,  essay- 
ist; "Stock  Yards,"  Miss  Addams  and  Mr.  A.  M.  Simons; 
"Transportation,  Lake  and  Railroad,"  Mrs.  Henrotin ;  "Self 
Support  for  Women  in  Large  Cities,"  Mrs.  Lynden  Evans; 
"Real  Estate  and  Housing,"  Mrs.  Emmons  Elaine. 

At  the  close  of  the  year's  study,  April  16,  1902,  the  chair- 
man of  the  Study  Class  Program  Committee,  presented  a  brief 
summary  of  the  year's  work,  and  submitted  resolutions  from 
each  department  on  the  question  of  "What  Can  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  Do  For  Chicago,"  as  follows: 

Outgrowth  of  the  papers  presented  by  the  different  depart- 
ments : 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  225 

The  Education  Department  presented  the  following:  Re- 
solved, that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  shall  promote  the  use 
of  the  public  schools  as  social  centers. 

The  Home  Department  recommends  to  the  club  the  con- 
sideration of  domestic  science  in  our  public  schools,  and  urges 
the  need  and  value  of  the  same. 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department,  realizing  that  no  beau- 
tification  of  Chicago  can  be  worth  while  until  the  pall  of  smoke 
is  lifted  from  her  shoulders,  urgently  requests  an  increased  mem- 
bership in  the  Municipal  Art  League,  which  has  undertaken  the 
task  of  fighting  the  "smoke  nuisance"  of  our  city. 

Trie  Philanthropy  Department  recommends  the  establish- 
ment of  neighborhood  improvement  clubs  in  all  school  centers 
represented  in  our  membership. 

The  Reform  Department  recommends  that  the  Club  under- 
take for  practical  work  the  enforcement  of  some  law  already 
existing  on  the  statute  books  of  the  city,  such  law  to  be  selected 
at  the  first  business  meeting  of  the  Club  in  September,  1902. 

February  5,  1902,  the  Education  Department  recommended 
the  appointment  of  a  committee  by  the  Club  to  consider  with 
representatives  of  other  organizations  such  measures  as  might 
be  necessary  for  the  retaining  of  the  kindergartens  as  an  in- 
tegral part  of  our  public  schools.  The  Club  pledged  its  aid  in 
obtaining  signatures  of  voters  to  the  petition  and  the  appeal 
spread  throughout  the  city. 

February  12,  1902,  the  subject  for  the  day  was  the  "Prob- 
lem of  Child  Labor,"  the  program  in  charge  of  Miss  Addams. 
Mrs.  Irene  Ashbee  MacFadyon  spoke  of  the  children  in  the 
Southern  cotton  mills,  Dr.  Felix  Adler  of  the  problem  of  child 
labor,  and  Miss  Addams  of  the  social  waste  of  child  labor. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  method  of  selling 
papers  in  Boston,  and  to  ask  the  Chicago  editors  to  co-operate 
in  bringing  about  a  better  method  in  Chicago. 

The  Club  delegates  to  the  General  Federation  were  in- 
structed to  urge  the  Federation  to  select  some  one  matter  of 
national  interest,  such  as  a  uniform  child  labor  law,  and  en- 


226  ANNALS  OF  THE 

deavor  to  unite  all  clubs  and   state   federations   earnestly   for 
the  one  purpose  until  the  desired  end  be  accomplished. 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department  reported  for  1901  that 
seven  regular  traveling  libraries  and  one  library  of  art  books 
were  sent  out;  the  Department  paid  the  expense  of  sending 
them  out ;  fifty  books  had  been  pledged  for  a  rural  library.  Nine 
new  libraries  were  sent  out  in  1902,  making  eleven  Woman's 
Club  traveling  libraries  in  active  use.  These  were  sent  to  small 
towns  in  the  state.  The  Department  offered  a  prize  of  twenty- 
five  dollars  for  a  book-plate  for  the  Club  Library.  In  1904, 
the  prize  was  awarded  to  Claude  Fayette  Bragdon,  whose  de- 
sign was  accepted.  A  course  of  ten  lectures  in  French  was 
given  by  Professor  Ingres  on  Friday  afternoons  in  the  Club 
parlors.  This  was  a  subscription  class  and  was  successful.  It 
was  the  first  French  study  class  which  since  that  time  has  been 
continued  as  one  of  the  activities  of  the  Department.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  entertain  noted  men  and  women  visiting 
the  city,  to  enable  the  members  of  the  Department  to  meet  them, 
the  committee  to  be  known  as  the  Hospitality  Committee. 

The  Club  gave  a  reception  at  the  Art  Institute  during  the 
exhibition  of  American  paintings  in  the  spring  of  1902. 

January  22,  1902,  it  was  voted  to  present  the  stained  glass 
window,  formerly  used  at  the  club  rooms  at  15  Washington 
street,  to  the  Board  of  Education,  as  a  memorial  window  for 
the  McKinley  School. 

In  February,  1902,  the  Art  and  Literature  Department 
voted  to  lay  aside  $800.00  for  some  scheme  of  mural  decora- 
tion in  the  assembly  hall  of  the  new  William  McKinley  High 
School  Building.  A  Mural  Art  Committee  was  appointed  and 
enlarged  the  scope  of  the  work  by  raising  money  from  persons 
interested  in  the  school,  in  order  to  decorate  the  entire  hall  in 
harmony  with  the  panels  already  proposed  by  the  Art  and  Litera- 
ture Department.  October  4,  1905,  the  Art  and  Literature  Com- 
mittee reported  the  completion  of  the  mural  decorations  for  the 
William  McKinley  High  School,  which  were  on  exhibition  at  the 
Art  Institute  from  December  5,  prior  to  being  placed  in  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  227 

school  during  the  Christmas  vacation.  October,  1902,  the  per- 
mission was  asked  and  was  received  from  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, to  place  the  mural  decorations  in  the  William  McKinley 
High  School.  These  mural  decorations  of  the  McKinley  High 
School  were  not  only  an  example  and  a  delight  to  our  own  city, 
but  the  fame  thereof  spread  to  many  cities,  and  it  was  hoped 
they  would  have  an  ever-increasing  influence  in  the  improvement 
of  our  schools. 

The  Department  reported  in  1902 :  The  decoration  consists 
of  six  lunettes,  the  commission  was  given  to  Frederic  Clay  Bart- 
lett,  who  superintended  the  entire  color  scheme  of  the  room, 
with  reference  to  the  stained  glass  window  already  presented  by 
the  Gub.  The  work  had  grown  from  the  idea  of  a  simple  panel 
to  the  complete  decoration  of  a  classic  monumental  hall.  The 
$800  subscribed  being  inadequate,  the  Committee  raised  the 
sum  to  $3,500,  the  graduates  of  the  school  being  asked  to  con- 
tribute to  the  fund.  The  hall  is  a  memorial  to  George  Howland, 
who  was  for  twenty  years  principal  of  the  Central  High  School, 
and  a  potent  influence  in  the  intellectual  life  of  Chicago.  The 
Department  authorized  a  further  expenditure  of  $200,  making 
the  contribution  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  $1,000. 
In  reviewing  this  work  of  the  Department  later,  Mrs.  Upton 
writes : 

"The  school  architect,  Mr.  Mundie,  consented  to  include  in 
his  plans  for  the  William  McKinley  High  School,  destined  to 
replace  the  old  West  Side  High  School,  a  large  assembly  room. 
The  mural  decorations  of  this  room  were  undertaken  by  the 
Art  and  Literature  Department,  assisted  by  the  Alumni  of  the 
West  Side  High  School,  who  contributed  a  bronze  bust  of 
George  Howland,  a  former  principal,  to  whom  the  room  was 
to  be  a  memorial.  The  entire  outlay  was  about  six  thousand 
dollars.  Since  the  building  of  this  school,  there  has  been  no  new 
school  house  built  without  its  large  assembly  room  for  social 
purposes." 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department  showed  its  interest  in 
the  movement  to  preserve  for  the  pleasure  of  posterity  the  homes 


228  ANNALS  OF  THE 

of  noted  poets  in  this  country,  by  subscribing  for  a  membership 
in  the  "Whittier  Home  Preservation  Association."  It  was  hoped 
to  raise  enough  money  to  save  the  Whittier  home  intact,  the 
object  being  to  keep  the  house  open  to  those  who  cherish  the 
poet's  memory,  for  his  work  in  the  past,  as  well  as  for  the  help 
he  gives  the  world  today. 

A  program  specially  arranged  for  the  entertainment  of  chil- 
dren was  a  feature  of  the  club  program  in  1902,  in  charge  of 
Mrs.  Putnam;  the  children  of  club  members,  together  with 
nearly  a  hundred  children  from  the  settlements,  enjoyed  the 
occasion  thoroughly. 

The  promised  action  of  the  Public  Library  Board  and  the 
Board  of  Education  to  open  Public  Library  stations  in  a 
number  of  the  city  schools  was  endorsed.  At  the  request 
of  President  Harper,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  co-operate 
with  the  University  in  its  work  of  giving  popular  lectures  upon 
subjects  of  artistic,  scientific  and  literary  character. 

In  October,  1902,  Qara  L.  Dixon  was  again  made  chairman 
of  the  Sunday  Open  Door  Committee  and  each  Department  was 
empowered  to  appoint  two  members.  The  musical  program 
given  October  15,  1902,  was  in  charge  of  Elizabeth  Sprague 
Coolidge  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department,  who  had  set  to 
music  ten  of  the  sonnets  of  Elizabeth  Barrett  Browning.  Mrs. 
Coolidge  played  the  accompaniments  and  Mrs.  Harry  Lee  Wil- 
liams sang  the  sonnets.  On  November  14,  the  Art  and  Litera- 
ture Department  gave  an  afternoon  reception  in  honor  of  Minnie 
Maddern  Fiske. 

At  the  business  meeting  for  December,  1902,  the  Club  con- 
sidered a  statement  concerning  probation  officers  in  the  Juvenile 
Court.  It  set  forth  the  need  of  forming  a  general  committee 
of  delegates  from  clubs  and  other  organizations,  which  shall 
enlist  public  interest  in  the  work  of  probation  officers,  and  shall 
secure  the  necessary  funds.  A  club  desiring  representation  on 
the  committee  may  send  a  delegate  by  paying  an  annual  fee 
of  $10.00. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  229 

In  October,  1902,  the  attention  of  the  Reform  Department 
was  called  to  a  statement  in  the  press  to  the  effect  that  the  pro- 
visions for  sick  and  crippled  children  in  Chicago  were  shockingly 
inadequate.  A  committee  on  investigation  was  appointed,  Dr. 
Rosa  Engleman,  chairman.  This  Committee  reported  in  Novem- 
ber at  the  business  meeting,  and  in  accordance  with  its  recom- 
mendation the  Club  was  asked  to  grant  permission  to  the  De- 
partment to  call  a  conference  of  those  interested  to  be  held  in 
the  rooms  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  The  conference 
was  called  for  December  28,  1902.  About  300  persons  responded 
to  that  call,  and  the  need  and  the  remedy  were  thoroughly  dis- 
cussed. A  resolution  was  passed  at  this  meeting  authorizing 
the  formation  of  a  society  to  be  called  "The  Children's  Hospital 
Society."  A  committee  on  organization  was  appointed. 

The  Collegiate  Alumnae  gave  an  exhibit  of  Home  Eco- 
nomics in  the  club  rooms  in  February,  1903,  and  the  Arts  and 
Crafts  Society,  an  exhibit  in  March.  This  Society  turned  over 
to  the  Woman's  Club,  $145.86,  earnings  of  the  exhibit,  sug- 
gesting that  the  money  be  used  to  perfect  the  arts  and  crafts 
work  in  one  of  the  public  schools.  March,  1903,  Mrs.  Coonley 
Ward  urged  the  Club  to  renew  efforts  to  secure  subscriptions 
for  the  Chicago  Orchestra  Association.  A  committee  of  six  was 
appointed  to  send  verbal  and  written  appeals  to  each  member 
of  the  Club. 

The  Reform  Department  records  for  1902  and  1903  report 
the  following  activities:  September  30,  1902,  Mrs.  Flower  or- 
ganized the  Juvenile  Court  Committee,  the  object  of  the  com- 
mittee being  to  aid  in  the  work  of  child  saving,  by  securing 
salaries  for  probation  officers,  and  by  such  other  means  as  might 
seem  advisable.  The  following  officers  were  chosen:  Miss 
Julia  Lathrop,  Chairman;  Mrs.  Joseph  T.  Bowen,  Vice- Presi- 
dent; Mr.  Jas.  H.  Eckels,  Treasurer;  Mrs.  Chas.  Henrotin,  As- 
sistant Treasurer;  Mrs.  F.  K.  Tracy,  Secretary.  Realizing 
that  until  such  time  as  the  probation  officers'  service  could  be 
placed  within  the  protection  of  the  county  merit  law,  the  sala- 
ries of  probation  officers  must  be  paid  for  by  private  funds, 


230  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  Committee  through  earnest  work  and  endeavor  succeeded 
in  securing  the  salaries  of  seven  officers,  who  did  effective  serv- 
ice. Feeling  that  there  was  no  more  valuable  work  for  chil- 
dren than  that  done  by  the  probation  officers,  which  substi- 
tutes wise,  kindly  personal  care,  for  neglect  and  prison,  the 
Committee  was  anxious  to  increase  the  number  of  these  offi- 
cers. In  the  three  years  previous  to  the  opening  of  the  Juvenile 
Court,  there  were  seventeen  hundred  and  five  boys  under  six- 
teen years  of  age  in  the  county  jail,  while  in  the  following 
three  years  there  were  but  forty-eight.  From  January  1,  1902, 
to  December,  1903,  there  were  five  thousand  eight  hundred 
eighty-one  cases  heard  in  the  Juvenile  Court.  When  it  is  re- 
membered that  through  the  efforts  of  the  probation  officers, 
many  children  were  kept  from  appearing  in  court,  who  otherwise 
would  swell  this  number,  it  is  seen  how  vast  was  the  work  to 
be  done,  if  these  children  were  to  be  kept  from  the  criminal  list, 
and  aided  toward  good  citizenship. 

April  22,  1903,  the  members  of  the  Reform  Department 
comprising  the  Visiting  Committee  for  County  Institutions, 
offered  as  a  final  report  of  two  years'  work,  the  following  brief 
record  of  results  accomplished:  We  were  instrumental  in  se- 
curing for  the  Tuberculosis  Hospital  a  change  of  diet  that  is 
humane;  also  rocking  chairs,  hammocks,  fruits,  flowers  and 
reading  matter.  Many  little  changes  conducive  to  the  health, 
comfort  and  happiness  of  the  inmates  of  the  Insane  Aslyum 
were  made.  There  was  a  marked  increase  in  quantity  and  qual- 
ity of  clothing  and  bedding  for  the  inmates  of  the  Infirmary. 
We  were  instrumental  in  having  transferred  from  the  Infirmary 
to  the  Insane  Aslyum,  twenty  insane  patients.  The  reuniting 
of  the  families  of  seventeen  children,  the  placing  through  the 
courts,  in  state,  county,  city  and  private  institutions  38  chil- 
dren, making  a  total  of  fifty-eight  cases,  were  brought  about. 
We  visited  these  children  twice  at  Lincoln,  111.,  twice  at  Ge- 
neva, three  times  at  Evanston,  once  at  Englewood,  four  times  at 
the  Industrial  School  for  Girls  and  once  at  Glenwood.  We 
were  responsible  for  placing  the  President  and  the  Board  of 
County  Commissioners  on  record  as  deciding  to  erect  at  Dun- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  231 

ning,  a  building  at  a  cost  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  large 
enough  to  accommodate  one  hundred  aged  women,  and  the 
children  at  the  Infirmary ;  said  building  to  be  named  by  the  visit- 
ing committee,  and  to  be  under  the  watchful  care  of  each  suc- 
ceeding visiting  committee  of  the  Reform  Department  of  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club.  There  was  rarely  a  day  that  some 
portion  of  it  was  not  given  to  Dunning,  toward  the  betterment 
of  its  inmates,  in  its  housing,  feeding  and  clothing  facilities ; 
placing  of  children,  better  care  and  attention  for  nurses,  at- 
tendants and  inmates  alike,  and  an  honest  endeavor  to  raise  the 
standard  that  will  eventually  place  it  on  the  list  of  model  insti- 
tutions. 

In  the  year  1903-1904,  a  committee  on  visiting  baby  farms 
and  public  nurseries  was  instituted  by  the  Philanthropy  Depart- 
ment. The  committee  obtained  a  list  of  such  institutions  from 
the  Health  Department,  the  Juvenile  Court  and  the  Children's 
Home  and  Aid  Society.  The  committee  visited  many  institu- 
tions, and  April  22,  1903,  reported  on  the  condition  of  mothers 
and  children  in  various  places.  During  the  following  year  the 
Committee  on  Baby  Farms  co-operated  with  the  city  authorities 
in  closing  some  of  the  worst  of  these  places.  Dr.  Reynolds, 
of  the  Health  Department,  had  two  inspectors  appointed  from 
the  members  of  the  Philanthropy  Department,  and  made  great 
effort  to  enforce  the  ordinance  governing  such  institutions.  Two 
members  of  the  committee  were  sworn  in  and  with  this  authority 
became  official  inspectors  of  baby  farms.  The  Department  also 
reported  friendly  visiting  in  connection  with  the  penny  savings 
banks. 

The  Neighborhood  Center  Committee,  Mrs.  Frank  A.  John- 
son, Chairman,  reported  that  a  number  of  new  improvement 
associations  had  been  formed,  and  April,  1904,  she  reported 
that  work  had  been  commenced  for  the  north  side,  including  the 
district  from  North  Avenue  to  the  river;  that  the  69th  Street 
district  on  the  south  side  was  working  for  opening  the  schools 
as  social  centers. 

April  22,  1903,  Mrs.  O'Connor,  Chairman  of  the  Study 
Class  Program  Committee,  reported  as  follows :  "The  original 


232  ANNALS  OF  THE 

plan  as  presented  and  accepted  by  the  Program  Committee  was 
to  study  the  different  foreign  peoples  who  are  with  us,  and  who 
make  up  a  large  portion  of  our  population ;  to  study  them  espe- 
cially in  regard  to  their  own  lives  at  home  in  their  own  country, 
how  it  differed  from  and  fitted  or  unfitted  them  for  the  life 
here.  With  this  end  in  view  the  Committee  selected  for  study 
countries  which  are  sending  the  largest  number  of  emigrants 
to  us  and  which  were  consequently  influencing  our  civilization 
the  most.  Ireland,  Germany,  Holland,  Hungary,  Poland  and 
Bohemia,  the  Northern  Countries,  Scandinavia,  Italy  and 
Greece,  China  and  Japan,  and  lastly,  the  immigration  of  the 
Jewish  people  from  nearly  every  country  of  Europe  were 
studied.  The  programs  illustrated  the  national  characteristics 
of  the  country  when  possible,  including  folk  music,  dances  and 
national  costumes." 

A  circular  was  read  stating  the  plans  of  the  committee  to 
raise  a  fund  for  widows  whose  children  would  be  taken  from 
employment  and  placed  in  the  schools  under  the  new  Compul- 
sory Education  Law.  In  September  the  subject  of  the  children 
of  widowed  mothers  was  presented  to  the  Club  by  Miss  Ad- 
dams.  It  was  voted  to  give  a  scholarship  for  one  child  who  was 
the  support  of  a  widowed  mother. 

A  special  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  was  held 
May  9,  1903,  to  hear  an  address  by  Mr.  Booker  T.  Washington, 
upon  the  work  at  Tuskegee  and  at  Hampton  Institute.  A  short 
discussion  followed,  after  which  the  meeting  adjourned  to  the 
Club  rooms,  where  an  informal  reception  was  held. 

Beginning  with  the  Club  Year,  1903-1904,  the  names  of  all 
permanent  committees  were  printed  in  the  calendar.  The  Club 
became  an  associate  member  of  the  Woman's  Auxiliary  of  the 
American  Park  and  Outdoor  Art  Association.  Two  scholarships 
were  purchased  in  the  School  of  Domestic  Arts  and  Sciences. 
The  Chicago  Outdoor  Art  League  was  founded  by  Mrs.  Her- 
man J.  Hall  in  1901,  and  was  at  first  auxiliary  to  the  national 
society.  Mrs.  John  Worthy  was  a  delegate  from  the  Art  and 
Literature  Department,  and  is  now  president.  The  League  is 
an  auxiliary  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  233 

April  1,  1903,  a  suggestion  was  made  that  the  Home  De- 
partment undertake  to  furnish  the  luncheons  for  the  Club  for 
the  coming  year.  A  series  of  lectures  on  "Foods"  by  Miss  Bui- 
lard  was  begun  in  October,  1904. 

In  October,  1903,  Mrs.  George  M.  Moulton  and  Mrs.  George 
W.  Plummer  gave  a  detailed  account  of  the  work  of  the  Milk 
Commission.  The  Club  asked  that  the  report  be  published  in 
the  daily  papers  and  an  article  was  prepared  containing  illus- 
trations of  the  laboratory  and  of  the  milk  depots.  The  Com- 
mission was  the  outgrowth  of  a  committee  of  the  Children's 
Hospital  Society,  which  was  the  result  of  a  committee  of  inves- 
tigation appointed  by  the  Reform  Department  to  look  into  the 
existing  facilities  in  Chicago  for  the  care  of  sick  and  crippled 
children  and  to  recommend  plans  for  their  betterment.  Mrs. 
Plummer  was  asked  to  report  as  to  the  laws  governing  the  in- 
spection of  milk  in  the  city  and  state,  the  questions  being:  "Are 
the  present  state  laws  and  the  city  ordinance  adequate,  and  are 
the  present  laws  being  enforced  ?" 

January  27,  1904,  Dr.  Jacques,  a  former  member  of 
the  Board  of  Health  and  City  Bacteriologist,  and  Mr. 
Eaton,  analyst  of  the  State  Food  Commission  of  Illinois, 
came  before  the  Committee  and  told  of  the  laws  in  the 
city  and  state  governing  the  inspection  of  milk.  Mr.  Eaton 
was  of  the  opinion  that  additional  legislation  for  state 
inspection  is  required,  and  presented  to  the  Committee  a  new 
bill,  which  in  his  estimation  would  be  fully  adequate.  Dr. 
Jacques  told  of  the  city  ordinance  concerning  the  inspection  of 
milk,  and  stated  that  in  his  opinion  it  was  the  best  ordinance 
in  the  United  States.  He  added,  however,  that  the  ordinance 
is  not  being  enforced,  but  if  it  were  enforced,  the  consumers  of 
milk  in  the  City  of  Chicago  would  have  nothing  of  which  to  com- 
plain. It  was  stated  that  the  lack  of  inspection  of  meat,  poultry 
and  game  in  the  city,  was  because  of  the  reduction  in  the  num- 
ber of  inspectors.  There  were  but  six  for  the  entire  city  at  the 
present  time,  and  four  of  these  were  at  the  Stock  Yards. 

The  Milk  Commission  opened  its  laboratory  June  13,  1904, 
for  the  second  season  of  milk  distribution,  selling  more  than 


234  ANNALS  OF  THE 

107,000  bottles.  The  auxiliary  committees  did  a  missionary 
work  among  the  mothers,  settlements  and  school  principals,  and 
found,  after  full  explanation  as  to  the  scope  and  necessity  of 
their  work,  that  all  were  willing  to  co-operate,  providing  the 
Hospital  Society  could  devise  a  plan  by  which  the  milk  could 
be  distributed.  The  Commission  also  conducted  a  milk  station 
at  the  City  Hall  during  the  summer,  assisted  by  the  West  End 
Woman's  Club.  Funds  were  secured  by  the  Auxiliary  Commit- 
tee, so  that  milk  might  be  given  free  of  charge  to  families,  after 
proper  investigation  of  these  by  the  Bureau  of  Charities.  No- 
vember 25,  1903,  the  Philanthropy  and  Reform  Departments 
outlined  a  plan  to  give  employment  and  amusement  to  the  women 
at  Dunning,  both  in  the  Poor  House  and  in  the  Insane  Aslyum, 
convinced  that  employment  and  recreation  are  important  fac- 
tors in  the  care  of  the  insane. 

The  program  October  14,  1903,  was  devoted  to  Emerson. 
The  Art  and  Literature  Department  presented  to  the  Club  a 
bronze  bas-relief  of  Emerson,  the  work  of  Julia  Bracken,  who 
was  the  guest  of  honor.  November  25,  1903,  the  Art  and  Litera- 
ture Department  voted  $50  to  a  settlement  music  study  class, 
this  being  made  necessary  because  of  the  refusal  of  the  Board 
of  Education  to  open  the  assembly  room  in  the  school  in  that 
neighborhood  for  a  paid  entertainment.  If  it  had  been  possible 
for  the  class  to  secure  a  hall  and  give  a  concert  it  could  have 
been  self-supporting.  The  Department  contributed  toward  the 
support  of  this  music  class  for  a  number  of  years.  January, 
1904,  the  Library  Committee  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Depart- 
ment reported  sending  a  library  to  the  British  West  Indies  made 
up  of  books  collected  from  members,  with  a  few  books  added. 

The  Reform  Department  reported  April  27,  1904,  that  the 
Juvenile  Court  Committee  had  been  incorporated,  having  had 
a  year  of  work,  with  most  encouraging  results.  They  had  been 
able  to  increase  the  number  of  paid  probation  officers  to  fifteen, 
and  had  systematized  and  doubled  the  efficiency  of  the  service. 
The  name  was  changed  to  the  Juvenile  Protective  Association 
in  1909.  This  organization  is  not  an  auxiliary  of  the  Chicago 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  235 

Woman's  Club,  although  many  of  its  directors  are  members, 
and  it  continues  the  activities  begun  in  the  Club  committees. 
The  character  of  the  work  has  changed,  having  become  pre- 
ventive, instead  of  reformatory. 

The  Neighborhood  Center  Committee  reported  April  27, 
1904:  "Although  the  residential  yard  with  accumulated  waste 
of  a  season  is  still  a  feature  of  Chicago,  and  the  florist  has  many 
bids  for  window  boxes  filled  with  combinations  of  red  geraniums, 
pink  begonias  and  purple  asters ;  still  the  fact  that  there  are  more 
window  boxes,  and  that  some  people  are  apologizing  for  the 
appearance  of  the  yards,  shows  an  awakening  visual  sense  which 
is  hopeful." 

The  Club  endorsed  the  bills  for  the  purchase  by  Congress 
of  the  Big  Trees  in  California,  for  the  placing  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire forests  in  a  national  park,  and  for  the  national  protection 
of  the  Cliff  Dwellers,  also  the  work  of  the  Library  Extension 
Committee  in  its  endeavor  to  obtain  a  State  Library  Commis- 
sion; this  endorsement  was  sent  to  the  secretary  of  the  State 
Federation. 

April  30,  1904,  greetings  were  sent  from  the  Chicago  Wom- 
an's Club,  by  Mrs.  Henry  Solomon,  to  the  International  Council 
of  Women  meeting  in  Berlin. 

October  28,  1903,  the  President,  Ellen  M.  Henrotin,  was 
given  authority  to  use  the  influence  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  to  secure  a  woman  on  a  committee  in  the  industrial  de- 
partment of  the  Civic  Federation.  The  President  reported  that 
a  telegram  was  at  once  sent  to  the  Department  of  Commerce 
and  Industry  at  Washington,  and  that  a  letter  was  sent  to  Sena- 
tor Hanna  asking  that  one  woman,  at  least,  be  placed  on  the 
Committee  representing  the  great  labor  movement.  Mrs.  Hen- 
rotin stated  that  the  replies  showed  that  much  interest  had  been 
aroused,  and  that  a  promise  for  an  effort  along  these  lines  had 
been  received.  The  President  called  the  attention  of  the  Board 
to  the  fact  that  the  United  States  is  the  only  country  where 
woman  is  in  an  official  position  in  the  labor  movement.  The 
President  also  outlined  to  the  Board  her  plans  for  a  conference 


236  ANNALS  OF  THE 

which  she  hoped  might  be  held  in  Chicago  in  the  spring.  The 
Conference  would  have  "Woman  in  the  Industrial,  Social,  Pro- 
fessional and  Home  Life"  for  its  subject. 

A  Committee  was  appointed  with  two  members  from  each 
Department  to  confer  in  regard  to  the  conference  of  Women  in 
Industry  and  Commerce,  and  reported  April  30,  1904,  as  follows : 
"The  Conference  having  for  its  subject:  'Women  in  the  Indus- 
trial, Professional,  Social  and  Home  Life,'  was  unique  in  that 
it  was  the  first  conference  of  the  kind  ever  held.  It  prompted 
much  good  work,  and  was  deemed  most  valuable.  The  confer- 
ence was  largely  attended  by  strangers,  rather  than  by  our  Club 
members,  and  it  was  thought  to  be  far-reaching  in  its  results." 

October  26,  1904,  the  Reform  Department  adopted  the  fol- 
lowing resolution: 

"Whereas,  The  provision  for  children  suffering  from  infec- 
tious diseases  is  entirely  inadequate;  and, 

"Whereas,  The  Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Chicago  has 
in  contemplation  the  passage  of  an  ordinance  which  will  pro- 
hibit the  erection  of  any  hospital  for  such  a  purpose  within 
the  city  limits ; 

"Therefore,  We,  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  respectfully  re- 
quest the  Council  to  refuse  to  further  endanger  the  lives  of  lit- 
tle ones  by  the  passage  of  the  aforesaid  ordinance." 

November  29,  1904,  Mrs.  Frederick  P.  Bagley  gave  a  report 
on  a  plan  of  work  which  was  to  interest  club  women  in  the  con- 
dition of  the  institutions  nearest  to  them  in  the  state ;  that  visit- 
ing these  institutions  and  obtaining  an  accurate  and  intelligent 
idea  of  their  condition  and  requirements  should  be  the  first  requi- 
site for  reform  and  for  all  work  along  philanthropic  lines.  A 
map  had  been  prepared  by  Mrs.  Bagley,  showing  the  location  of 
institutions  in  the  state  and  the  proximity  of  women's  clubs  to 
each  institution. 

The  program  for  January  13,  1904,  consisted  of  "Songs  of 
Colonial  and  Ante-bellum  Days,"  by  Mrs.  Hollingsworth  Wat- 
kins.  A  special  program  arranged  March  30,  as  a  memorial  to 
Herbert  Spencer,  was  as  follows :  Celia  Parker  Woolley 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  237 

gave  a  general  estimate  of  Spencer;  Prof.  Frank  R.  Lillie  spoke 
on  "Spencer  as  a  Scientist" ;  Victor  S.  Yarros  addressed  the 
Club  on  "Spencer  as  a  Sociologist";  Ella  F.  Young  spoke 
on  "Education  and  Ethics";  Prof.  A.  W.  Moore,  upon  "The 
Philosophy  of  Spencer." 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department  gave  a  reception  to 
Sydney  Lee,  the  Shakespearean  scholar,  in  March,  1903,  to 
which  many  guests  were  invited.  Josephine  Preston  Pea- 
body,  of  Wellesley,  was  also  entertained  during  the  same  year 
by  the  Department.  One  of  the  memorable  programs  of  the 
year  was  under  the  auspices  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Depart- 
ment, when  William  Butler  Yeats  gave  a  lecture,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  luncheon  in  his  honor.  The  Department  reported 
that  the  recipient  of  the  Art  Institute  scholarship  had  received 
honorable  mention  at  the  close  of  every  term.  A  French  study 
class  was  begun  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs.  M.  H.  Knowles 
in  October,  1904,  which  had  a  large  attendance. 

December  7,  1905,  it  was  announced  that  a  club  had  been 
established  in  New  York  City,  to  be  known  as  "The  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  of  New  York,"  and  that  the  club  looked  to  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club  for  its  inspiration  and  its  ideals.  The 
use  of  the  Club  rooms  was  extended  to  the  Dearborn  Seminary 
Alumnae  for  the  golden  jubilee  reception,  to  be  celebrated  Jan- 
uary 17,  1905. 

January  4,  1905,  the  following  resolutions  were  passed  by 
the  Club  by  a  rising  vote,  upon  the  death  of  Theodore  Thomas : 

"That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  extends  to  the  family  of 
Theodore  Thomas  its  tenderest  sympathy,  with  the  assurance 
of  its  own  sense  of  bereavement  in  the  passing  of  an  orchestral 
leader  of  lofty  ideals,  steadfast  spirit  and  great  achievement." 

January  11,  1905,  the  program  was  in  charge  of  Julia  C. 
Lathrop.  The  subject  was  "Civil  Service:  The  Immediate  Sit- 
uation in  Illinois."  January  25,  the  President  introduced  Prof. 
P.  P.  Claxton,  of  Tennessee,  who  spoke  on  "The  New  Educa- 
tional Opportunities  for  Men  and  Women  in  the  South."  Feb- 
ruary 1,  1905,  the  subject  of  the  day  was  a  lecture  entitled: 


238  ANNALS  OF  THE 

"Some  Limitations  of  the  Thoughtful  Public  in  America."  The 
speaker  was  Prof.  Josiah  Royce,  of  Harvard  University.  Pro- 
fessor Royce  left  the  thought  with  us,  that  provincialism  should 
be  more  strongly  developed;  that  each  community  should  pos- 
sess its  own  particular  characteristics;  that  in  this  greater  va- 
riety, greater  strength  would  exist  in  the  nation. 

The  Club  voted  January  25,  1905,  to  send  its  protest  to  the 
Mayor  in  regard  to  the  conditions  prevailing  in  the  dance  halls, 
and  asked  that  the  present  ordinances  regulating  their  operation, 
and  also  regulating  the  sale  of  liquor  to  minors,  be  enforced. 

As  February  1  was  the  birthday  of  Susan  B.  Anthony,  the 
following  telegram  was  sent  to  her:  "Love  and  congratula- 
tions on  your  eighty-fifth  birthday.  Your  useful  and  remark- 
able life  is  our  best  inheritance." 

The  Neighborhood  Center  Committee  reported  as  follows, 
April  26,  1905 :  The  work  of  the  committee  has  two  purposes, 
that  of  the  improvement  of  a  neighborhood  with  the  school  as 
a  social  center,  and  the  general  improvement  of  our  city  through 
the  agency  of  improvement  associations.  During  the  past  three 
years  many  new  improvement  associations  have  been  organized, 
until  now  along  the  lake  front  covering  an  area  of  a  mile  from 
east  to  west,  a  chain  of  improvement  associations  extends  from 
63rd  Street  to  Lincoln  Park,  with  only  a  missing  link  from 
16th  Street  to  Van  Buren.  At  the  present  time  there  are  seven- 
teen improvement  associations  represented  in  the  League 
of  Improvement  Associations  which  was  established  by  this 
committee.  The  object  of  this  league  is  mutual  assistance  and 
encouragement  one  to  the  other,  by  an  exchange  of  purpose 
and  methods  of  working,  and  by  association  and  a  massing  of 
forces,  to  create  a  stronger  power  in  the  community. 

In  April,  1905,  the  Education  Department  brought  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  before  the  Club,  which  was  adopted:  "That 
the  plans  for  small  parks  which  the  South  Park  Board  is  bring- 
ing to  a  successful  fulfillment  be  endorsed  by  the  Club." 

During  1905,  the  Library  Committee  developed  a  plan  of  se- 
curing from  authors,  autograph  copies  of  their  books,  as  a  per- 
manent collection  for  the  Club. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  239 

At  the  annual  meeting  Mrs.  Wilmarth  reported  on  the  Con- 
sumers' League:  The  League  has  been  instrumental  in  draw- 
ing public  attention  to  the  benefits  of  early  Christmas  shop- 
ping; has  urged  summer  vacations  and  weekly  half  holiday  for 
clerks ;  Sunday  closing  of  shops,  and  enforcement  of  child  labor 
laws ;  also  aroused  public  sentiment  against  sweat  shops  and  un- 
sanitary work  rooms.  April  26,  1905,  action  was  taken  by  the 
Club  upon  the  Child  Labor  Law,  as  affected  by  the  contents  of 
House  Bill,  No.  620,  otherwise  known  as  the  Haas  Bill.  A 
telegram  was  sent  to  Governor  Deneen  requesting  him  to  veto 
the  bill. 

September  27,  1905,  the  President  presented  the  plan  es- 
tablishing a  permanent  subscription  theatre  for  presenting  the 
best  plays,  and  asked  the  Board  to  give  moral  support  to  the 
plan,  by  appointing  a  committee  from  the  Club  to  co-operate 
with  the  committee  already  formed.  A  committee  of  seven 
was  appointed  by  the  President,  consisting  of  Mesdames  Hen- 
rotin,  Buckingham,  Brainard,  de  Windt,  Archibald  McArthur, 
George  Adams,  and  George  B.  Carpenter,  member  ex-officio. 
The  plan  was  to  have  a  hall  in  the  center  of  the  city,  which 
seated  about  800,  remodeled,  in  which  only  the  best  plays  would 
be  presented.  There  were  to  be  different  priced  subscriptions, 
entitling  the  holders  to  four  performances  a  week.  The  Club 
endorsed  the  movement  toward  the  establishment  of  an  inde- 
pendent theatre,  and  pledged  moral  support  and  influence  to  this 
cause. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  April  29,  1900,  it  was  voted  that 
the  membership  of  the  Club  shall  be  limited  to  one  thousand 
members.  April  30,  1903,  a  permanent  rooms  committee  was 
again  appointed  with  Mrs.  Wilmarth  as  chairman.  It  was  voted 
that  this  committee  consist  of  a  chairman,  and  two  members 
from  each  Department.  In  response  to  a  petition  signed  by  125 
members  of  the  Club,  the  Board  of  Managers  set  apart  Wednes- 
day afternoon,  February  15,  1905,  to  consider  matters  of  Club 
policy,  as  follows: 


240  ANNALS  OF  THE 

1.  Should  the  Club  dues  be  raised?  2.  Can  and  should 
we  live  within  our  present  income?  3.  Where,  if  at  all,  should 
we  retrench? 

The  first  speaker  was  Miss  Sweet,  who  presented  the  sub- 
ject for  discussion  to  the  Club  in  such  terms  as  to  draw  the 
attention  of  the  members  to  the  real  objects  of  this  organization 
as  defined  in  the  Club  charter,  viz. :  "Mutual  sympathy  and 
counsel;  a  united  effort  towards  the  higher  civilization  of  hu- 
manity, and  general  philanthropic  and  literary  work."  It  was 
stated  that  in  view  of  the  practical  question  of  apartments  for 
the  Club,  which  must  soon  be  answered,  we  should  take  coun- 
sel together  as  to  affairs  in  which  there  is  common  interest, 
for  back  of  these  questions  of  business  lie  matters  which  affect 
the  spirit  and  soul  of  this  organization.  Mrs.  Bolte  would  have 
the  Club  do  the  best,  at  the  least  expense,  and  would  have  us 
stand  as  an  organization  that  lives  within  its  means.  Mrs.  Ed- 
wards was  of  the  opinion  that  the  Club  was  like  a  family;  it 
must  adapt  itself  to  circumstances.  If  to  raise  the  dues  to 
$25  was  intended  for  rooms,  she  was  opposed;  if  for  work,  it 
was  another  thing.  Mrs.  Henrotin  stated  that  there  were  three 
things  she  would  emphasize:  1st.  That  an  organization's  ex- 
cuse for  existing  is  that  it  is  efficient.  2nd.  The  Club  has  too 
many  meetings;  one  general  meeting  a  month  and  one  business 
meeting  a  month,  with  more  time  for  a  better  understanding  of 
what  we  are  doing  and  how  it  shall  be  done ;  elimination  is  the 
thing  now.  We  must  live  up  to  the  highest  ideal;  and  work 
means  money.  3rd.  Success  means  centralization,  and  concen- 
tration of  energy.  The  Club  must  be  efficient  if  it  is  to  exist. 

A  committee  for  retrenchment  was  appointed  on  February 
22.  The  committee  recommended:  That  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  should  not  increase  the  amount  now  expended  for  the  run- 
ning expenses  of  the  Club ;  that  in  addition  to  the  duties  imposed 
upon  the  finance  committee,  it  shall  make  up  a  budget  for  the 
running  expenses  of  the  coming  year  which  it  shall  present  to 
the  Club  for  approval,  with  its  final  report.  March  22,  1915, 
a  lease  for  one  year  for  the  Club  rooms  now  occupied  was  made 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  241 

at  an  advanced  rental  of  $1,200,  plus  the  lighting,  thus  making 
the  rental  for  one  year  $8,400.  May  3,  1905,  the  President  re- 
ported that  the  permanent  rooms  committee  had  been  active 
in  making  investigations  regarding  permanent  rooms.  The  com- 
mittee recommended  a  site  near  southeast  corner  of  Wabash 
Avenue  and  Congress  street,  90x90  feet,  a  plan  to  issue  $100,000 
in  bonds,  $100,000  in  stock  to  erect  building.  The  President  sug- 
gested sending  out  a  tentative  plan  along  above  lines  to  members 
of  organizations  interested,  to  secure  support  and  approval,  be- 
fore making  further  plans. 

Mrs.  Lucy  L.  Flower  was  given  the  use  of  the  club  rooms 
Thursday  afternoon,  April  18,  for  a  lecture  by  Dr.  Christo- 
pher on  "Child  Study  in  the  Public  Schools,  Its  Objects  and 
Results." 

Greater  emphasis  was  laid  upon  the  social  meetings  within 
the  Departments  to  foster  the  acquaintance  of  members.  The 
Reform  Department  inaugurated  a  series  of  Department  lunch- 
eons, 1901-1902,  where  new  phases  of  work  might  be  discussed 
and  new  members  introduced.  The  Home  Department  had  a 
May  day  meeting  at  the  home  of  one  of  its  members.  The  Art 
and  Literature  Department  had  many  social  gatherings  and 
during  the  season  of  1901-1902  appointed  a  committee  on  hospi- 
tality to  supplement  the  work  of  the  social  committee.  This 
committee  had  for  its  purpose  the  development  of  definite  plans 
for  the  entertainment  of  distinguished  persons  connected  with 
art  and  literature.  The  work  of  the  Club  Social  Committee  dur- 
ing the  months  of  December  and  January  reported  an  increase 
in  the  number  of  entertainments.  On  Saturday  afternoon,  Janu- 
ary 26,  Mr.  Edwin  D.  Mead  of  Boston  addressed  the  members 
of  the  Club.  Wednesday,  January  30,  the  Club  entertained  the 
members  and  guests  from  the  settlements  with  an  illustrated 
musical  lecture  by  Mr.  Frederic  Root.  The  reception  given  by 
the  Club,  February  24,  1902,  during  the  exhibition  of  Western 
artists  at  the  Art  Institute,  was  in  charge  of  the  Art  and  Lit- 
erature Department,  and  proved  an  enjoyable  occasion,  empha- 
sizing the  social  relationship  between  the  artists  and  the  club 


242  ANNALS  OF  THE 

members.  Another  special  occasion  was  "Arbutus  Day,"  April 
19,  when  Mrs.  Martha  Foote  Crow,  Mrs.  Coonley  Ward,  Mrs. 
G.  W.  Kretzinger,  Mrs.  W.  Keepers,  Mrs.  Merrill  and  Mrs.  M. 
A.  Loring  read  original  verses  appropriate  to  this  spring  sym- 
posium. Mrs.  Keepers  donated  a  large  quantity  of  arbutus  sent 
from  Lookout  Mountain,  Tenn.  Mrs.  Mott  of  Michigan  City 
also  added  greatly  to  our  Spring  Day  by  bringing  us  spring 
flowers  fresh  from  the  woods.  Under  the  auspices  of  the  hos- 
pitality committee  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  a  re- 
ception was  given  November  10  to  Mr.  Henry  Hubbell  of  Paris, 
and  Messrs.  Clarkson,  Browne,  Grover  and  Taft,  of  Chicago. 
Each  of  these  artists  spoke  with  enthusiasm  of  some  phase  of 
artistic  work  or  experience.  The  music  study  class  considered 
"Music  of  To-day"  during  the  year  1904-1905. 

March  23,  1904,  a  letter  was  read  giving  an  account  of  a 
woman's  club  and  library  extension  which  had  been  formed  in 
La  Mesa,  California,  by  Mrs.  W.  G.  Ferguson,  one  of  this  De- 
partment's former  members. 

January  27,  1904,  resolutions  were  adopted  to  the  effect  that 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  believes  the  present  inspection  of 
food  in  the  city  of  Chicago  inadequate,  and  therefore  urges  the 
Appropriations  Committee  of  the  Council  to  recommend  an  ap- 
propriation sufficient  to  insure  the  adequate  inspection  of  all  food 
products. 

March  23,  1904,  this  resolution  was  adopted: 

"Whereas,  a  resolution  has  been  presented  to  the  Chicago 
City  Council  asking  for  legislation  to  legalize  prostitution,  with 
Government  medical  inspection,  we  hereby  protest  against  such 
method  of  dealing  with  vice,  because  experience  in  other  cities 
has  proven  that  this  method  increased  vice  instead  of  lessening 
it:  that  medical  examination  of  women  prostitutes  only  must  be 
ineffective,  and  because  the  door  of  hope  should  always  be  open 
to  an  unfortunate  woman  who  wishes  to  lead  a  better  life. 

December  28,  1904,  the  Club  endorsed  a  bill  "granting 
women  the  right  to  vote  for  Presidential  electors  and  certain 
other  officers,"  a  bill  to  make  it  a  misdemeanor  to  take  usuri- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  243 

ous  rates  of  interest  on  loans  to  salaried  people ;  and  one  known 
as  the  merit  law,  which  was  adopted  in  the  following  form  Feb- 
ruary 22,  1905 : 

"Whereas,  Both  political  parties  and  all  candidates  for  elec- 
tion were,  by  the  platforms  adopted  in  their  conventions,  pledged 
to  a  Civil  Service  Law  for  our  State ; 

"Be  It  Resolved,  That  we  demand  as  our  right,  and  the 
rights  of  our  children,  the  fulfillment  of  the  pledge;  and  that 
we  shall  consider  it  a  gross  violation  of  honesty  and  truth  and 
an  immoral  example  to  the  future  citizens  of  our  State  if  the 
promise  is  not  kept." 

Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Edwards  as  President  of  the  Club,  in 
her  annual  address,  1901,  recommended  the  following  change 
in  the  election  of  officers: 

"One  year  the  election  might  be  for  President,  for  Record- 
ing Secretary,  for  two  Directors  and  one  representative  on  the 
membership  committee  from  each  Department.  The  next  year 
two  Vice  Presidents,  Corresponding  Secretary,  Treasurer,  chair- 
man of  Departments,  and  one  representative  on  the  member- 
ship committee  from  each  Department  might  be  elected.  Un- 
expected vacancies  to  be  filled  each  year  would  vary  the  number 
of  elections  slightly,  but  the  average  would  be  about  the  same. 
It  is  a  positive  advantage  to  the  business  of  the  club  that  its 
officers  and  the  chairman  of  departments  should  serve  two 
years."  Mrs.  Edwards  adds: 

"The  supreme  motive  of  the  Club,  an  interest  in  humanity, 
permeates  every  Department.  No  conception  of  club  work, 
even  though  it  is  simply  for  self-improvement,  is  complete  until 
it  evolves  some  plan  by  which  humanity,  outside  the  club,  is 
made  better,  wiser,  or  more  comfortable.  Interest  in  humanity 
is  so  pre-eminently  the  motive  throughout  the  Club  that  I  can 
see  no  danger  in  the  fact  that  departments  representing  the  dif- 
ferent details  of  the  one  great  idea  differ  in  numbers.  Not  the 
least  among  the  lessons  of  this  Club  is  that  which  teaches  us  to 
express  ourselves  clearly  to  an  audience.  Many  a  timid  woman 
who  has  only  dared  to  whisper  her  thoughts  to  an  intimate  has 
here  learned  her  own  value  and  her  power." 


244  ANNALS  OF  THE 

A  condensed  report  was  made  and  published  covering  the 
Presidency  of  Mrs.  Otto  Matz  (1902-03),  and  that  of  Mrs. 
Charles  Henrotin  (1903-04),  from  which  the  following  is  taken: 

"The  special  work  of  the  Reform  Department  has  been  that 
which  led  up  to  the  founding  of  the  Children's  Hospital  Society 
of  Chicago,  the  result  of  which  has  been  the  work  of  the  Milk 
Commission.  A  special  committee  was  appointed  by  the  Depart- 
ment to  investigate  the  condition  of  sick  children  in  Chicago,  and 
the  Department  asked  permission  of  the  Club  to  call  a  conference 
of  citizens  to  hear  this  report  and  suggest  ways  and  means  to 
relieve  the  situation.  From  that  conference  sprang  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Children's  Hospital  Society  of  Chicago,  whose  object 
is:  To  promote  the  extension  and  enlargement  of  facilities  for 
the  care  of  sick  and  crippled  children,  and  those  persons  suffer- 
ing from  infectious  diseases,  and  to  encourage  and  assist  scien- 
tific research,  especially  as  related  to  childhood.  The  Society 
has  asked  the  hospitals  to  co-operate  in  securing,  first,  a  stand- 
ard of  efficiency  in  all  the  city  and  county  hospitals,  to  secure 
which  each  must  meet  the  following  requirements : 

First,  it  must  have  a  detention  department ;  second,  an  iso- 
lation department;  third,  laboratory  facilities;  fourth,  provide 
pure  milk  for  the  children;  fifth,  a  space  of  not  less  than  one 
thousand  (1,000)  cubic  feet  of  air  for  each  bed;  sixth,  provide 
didactic  and  bedside  instruction  in  diseases  of  children  to  under- 
graduate nurses. 

The  Society  pledges  itself  to  raise  means  to  enable  a  con- 
stant bettering  of  these  and  other  conditions.  While  it  is  true 
that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  no  longer  claims  proprietary 
interest  in  the  Society,  the  Department  believes  the  Club  will 
remember  with  pride  that  the  Children's  Hospital  Society  was 
born  here,  and  bespeaks  for  it  the  same  sympathy  and  help  it 
gives  to  other  offspring  who  have  left  its  sheltering  arms. 

Besides  the  work  of  the  Departments  the  standing  Com- 
mittees of  the  Club  have  carried  on  many  activities;  the  library 
committee  has  sent  out  five  new  traveling  libraries  during  the 
past  year,  making  sixteen  the  total  number  sent  out  by  the  Chi- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  245 

cago  Woman's  Club  since  the  formation  of  this  Committee.  One 
of  the  five  libraries  was  a  special  library  of  art,  and  another  of 
American  history.  This  Committee  has  investigated  the  provis- 
ions made  for  children  in  the  library  centers,  and  reports  that 
much  good  could  be  done  in  the  sub-stations  to  make  them  more 
attractive  for  adults  and  for  children  to  visit,  and  in  some  cases 
much  is  needed  to  make  them  of  greater  value.  Books  have 
been  sent  to  the  John  Worthy  School,  to  the  Bridewell  and  to 
the  Salvation  Army.  The  following  special  Committees :  Art 
Purchasing,  Promoting  Vacation  Schools,  Handicraft  in  the 
Public  Schools,  and  the  new  Committee  on  Legislation  have 
all  planned  interesting  work  for  the  coming  year.  The  Arts  and 
Crafts  Exhibit  which  was  held  during  the  past  winter  in  the 
Club  Rooms  for  three  days,  was  a  great  success.  One  of  the 
striking  features  of  the  exhibit  was  the  work  of  the  school  chil- 
dren, and  the  interest  it  aroused  in  the  teachers  who  were  invited 
to  attend.  The  Committee  having  the  exhibit  in  charge  returned 
to  the  Board  a  profit  of  $150.00  after  all  expenses  were 
paid.  The  Board  gave  to  the  Committee  this  sum  to  further  the 
work  in  public  schools.  Among  the  Societies  auxiliary  to  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club  is  the  Protective  Agency  for  Women 
and  Children,  the  majority  of  whose  Board  are  members  of  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club,  the  Chicago  Public  School  Art  Society, 
the  School  Children's  Aid  Society,  the  Chicago  Political  Equality 
League,  and  the  Model  Lodging  House  Association ;  all  report  to 
the  Club  at  its  annual  meeting  and  most  of  the  Departments 
assist  these  associations  financially  and  send  delegates  to  their 
Boards." 


246  ANNALS  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  VIII 
1905-1910 

Susan  B.  Anthony  was  tendered  a  reception  on  the  after- 
noon of  June  23,  1905.  The  following  year,  March  7,  1906, 
these  resolutions  were  passed  upon  the  death  of  this  great 
woman : 

"Whereas,  There  has  passed  from  this  finite  consciousness  a 
courageous,  undaunted,  steadfast  spirit,  for  half  a  century  the 
most  prominent  factor  in  the  advancement  and  betterment  of 
womankind;  and 

"Whereas,  That  noble  spirit  ascended  steadily  upon  the  suc- 
cessive steps  of  opprobrium,  ridicule  and  caricature,  to  suffer- 
ance, commendation,  respect  and  love  of  the  community ;  and 

"Whereas,  That  spirit  now  stands  on  the  pinnacle  of  mem- 
ory, as  the  type  of  self-sacrifice,  devotion  and  consequent  accom- 
plishment ;  therefore,  be  it 

"Resolved,  That  we,  the  members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club,  record  our  gratitude,  reverence  and  love  to  the  memory  of 
Susan  B.  Anthony,  accepting  her  service  as  our  great  legacy; 
be  it 

"Resolved,  That  a  memorial  meeting  in  memory  of  Miss 
Anthony  be  held  at  the  time  and  place  to  be  hereafter  named, 
and  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  her  bereaved 
family  and  to  the  public  press." 

On  January  17,  1906,  resolutions  of  sympathy  were  passed 
and  sent  to  the  family  of  William  Rainey  Harper,  first  President 
of  the  University  of  Chicago,  expressing  gratitude  that  we  have 
had  the  inestimable  privilege  to  partake  of  his  splendid  accom- 
plishment for  literary,  ethical  and  moral  culture. 

Other  resolutions  of  sympathy  adopted  at  Club  meetings 
during  1905-1906  were,  a  message  to  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Ste- 
venson on  account  of  her  illness,  and  on  the  death  of  Judge 
Tuley  and  Theodore  Thomas. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  247 

The  Board  entertained  Sarah  Platt  Decker,  president  of  the 
General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  at  luncheon,  Oct.  15, 
1905.  Invitations  were  extended  to  the  officers  of  the  General 
Federation,  and  to  the  President  of  the  Illinois  State  Federa- 
tion. December  4,  1905,  the  Reform  Department  gave  a  luncheon 
in  honor  of  women  members  of  the  Chicago  Board  of  Educa- 
tion— Miss  Addams,  Mrs.  Keogh,  Dr.  de  Bey,  Mrs.  Emmons 
Blaine. 

March  22,  1905,  the  Reform  Department  endorsed  the  re- 
quest of  Jane  Addams  and  Mary  McDowell  that  a  woman  be 
appointed  to  investigate  the  present  industrial  conditions  of 
women,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Bureau  of  Commerce  and  In- 
dustry, and  the  secretary  of  the  Department  was  instructed  to 
write  a  letter  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  informing 
him  of  this  action. 

November  22,  1905,  Mrs.  Solomon  as  the  Cub's  representa- 
tive gave  the  report  of  the  installation  exercises  at  Illinois  Uni- 
versity. She  told  of  the  beautiful  woman's  building  just  dedi- 
cated, and  the  eloquent  address  in  the  evening  by  Dr.  Gunsaulus 
on  "Heroism  in  Scholarship."  She  spoke  of  the  great  meaning 
which  the  University  of  Illinois  must  have  to  the  young  people 
of  the  state.  She  noted  the  absence  of  dormitories  and  the  pas- 
sion of  the  students  to  belong  to  fraternities  and  sororities. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  need  of  dor- 
mitories for  the  girls  at  the  State  University. 

In  November,  1905,  Mr.  Henry  G.  Foreman  stated  that 
women  were  most  alive  to  the  recreation  needs  of  the  people. 
He  gave  a  brief  history  of  the  Chicago  Park  movement,  com- 
menced in  1869,  which  had  proved  inadequate  in  thirty  years. 
In  1903,  a  second  movement  was  inaugurated,  and  still  Chicago 
was  nineteenth  in  the  list  of  cities  as  regards  the  percentage  of 
park  acreage.  He  spoke  of  the  need  of  the  people  in  congested 
districts  of  open-air  recreation,  and  urged  that  the  lands  be 
bought  while  it  was  possible  to  secure  them  at  farm  prices — 
also  before  the  forests  are  destroyed.  In  closing,  Mr.  Fore- 
man asked  for  the  endorsement  and  co-operation  of  the  Club. 


248  ANNALS  OF  THE 

It  was  voted  that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  endorse  the  move- 
ment to  establish  an  outer  belt  park  system.  The  Chicago  Wom- 
an's Club  protested  against  the  putting  of  iron  fences  around 
the  South  Parks,  and  sent  the  following  communication: 

The  erection  of  high  palings  around  our  parks  would  de- 
stroy one  of  their  most  attractive  features,  that  free  and  open 
approach  which  invites  the  eye  and  affords  a  vision  of  beauty 
miles  away.  To  enclose  this  with  an  iron  fence,  no  matter  how 
expensive  or  beautiful  in  itself,  would  be  to  commit  a  grave 
artistic  blunder.  Our  parks  belong  to  the  people,  and  should 
serve  their  uses  in  the  most  convenient  way.  They  should  be 
as  free  of  access  as  possible  to  the  sick  and  feeble,  the  old  and 
infirm,  to  tired  mothers  with  little  children.  The  management 
of  these  public  pleasure  grounds  should  be  in  a  broad  and  demo- 
cratic spirit.  It  is  both  foolish  and  undesirable  to  give  our 
parks  the  appearance  of  the  private  grounds  of  the  English 
aristocracy.  The  large  amount  of  money  which  would  be  re- 
quired for  this  purpose  can  be  much  better  used  to  extend  police 
protection.  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  therefore  earnestly 
urges  the  South  Park  Commissioners  to  reconsider  this  ques- 
tion and  not  to  take  a  step  so  opposed  to  the  convenience  and 
best  interests  of  the  people. 

The  Club  endorsed  the  action  of  President  Roosevelt  and 
the  American  Civic  Association  in  working  for  the  preservation 
of  Niagara  Falls  for  future  generations. 

April  25,  1906,  the  President,  Mrs.  George  B.  Carpenter, 
as  chairman  of  the  Central  Club  Relief  Committee,  reported  the 
plan  of  the  mass  meeting  held  on  the  previous  Sunday  in  the 
interest  of  the  San  Francisco  earthquake  sufferers :  Money  had 
been  contributed  as  follows :  Individual,  $50.00 ;  Clubs,  $269.25 ; 
Art  and  Literature  Department,  $325.00;  $500  was  appropriated 
from  the  Club  treasury,  to  be  sent  to  the  Woman's  Club  of  San 
Francisco,  to  be  used  for  the  sufferers.  On  April  28,  1906,  Mrs. 
Tracy  reported  gifts  by  the  Central  Club  Relief  Committee, 
and  Mrs.  Solger  reported  that  42  packing  cases  containing  12,000 
garments  had  been  shipped  to  date.  The  total  sum  of  $1,075.25 
was  received  and  expended. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  249 

A  letter  was  presented  from  E.  G.  Routzahn,  of  the  Mu- 
nicipal Museum,  January  10,  1906,  desiring  assistance  in  ar- 
ranging programs  for  entertainments  to  be  given  in  the  ten  field 
houses,  conducted  by  the  South  Park  Commission.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  assist  the  Municipal  Museum  in  ar- 
ranging programs. 

A  committee  labored  earnestly  to  establish  a  theatre  devoted 
to  the  educational  influences  of  the  dramatic  art,  the  promotion 
and  welfare  of  players,  and  the  maintenance  of  high  standards 
in  the  profession.  It  also  proposed  a  permanent  stock  com- 
pany, which  was  ultimately  to  occupy  its  own  building.  The 
Theatre  Committee  stated  February  25,  1906,  that  it  was  not 
the  intention  at  any  time  that  this  Club  should  manage  a  theatre. 
It  was  the  hope  that  through  its  moral  and  working  support 
such  an  educational  effort  in  behalf  of  public  and  player  might 
be  successfully  accomplished  in  this  city  of  enterprise.  A  propo- 
sition to  present  the  best  plays,  with  an  adequate  company  and 
at  popular  prices,  would  never  interest  the  professional  man- 
ager. The  people  must  interest  themselves  if  they  wanted  to 
see  it  carried  out. 

November  22,  1905,  the  Philanthropy  Department  reported : 
Our  plan  is  to  acquaint  ourselves  as  thoroughly  as  we  can  with 
the  conditions  and  needs  of  certain  classes  of  homes  or  insti- 
tutions. We  particularly  wish  to  inform  ourselves  of  the  homes 
for  working  girls  and  boys,  for  old  people,  and,  most  difficult 
of  all — rescue  homes  for  unfortunate  girls.  We  have  asked 
some  of  the  most  experienced  settlement  workers  to  talk  to  us 
on  the  vexed  question  of  the  deserted  family. 

The  Philanthropy  Department  reported  that  its  work  for 
1905  was  the  support  given  the  Public  Charities  Committee,  a 
sub-committee  of  the  Federation,  whose  purpose  was  to  inter- 
est all  clubs  in  the  State  in  civil  service  reform,  and  in  the 
wiser  administration  of  charity  in  the  state  and  county  insti- 
tutions. The  Department  in  this  connection  published  Miss 
Lathrop's  book,  "Suggestions  to  Visitors  of  Institutions."  No- 
vember, 1906,  a  committee  directed  its  efforts  to  the  discovery 
and  suppression  of  agencies  fraught  with  danger  to  the  chil- 


250  ANNALS  OF  THE 

dren  in  our  schools.  Unsanitary  conditions,  lack  of  ventila- 
tion, and  the  effects  of  janitors'  unions  were  discussed  with 
teachers  and  parents.  Some  of  the  Committee  were  deeply 
impressed  with  the  dangers  lurking  in  secret  societies,  and  did 
all  in  their  power  to  bring  about  the  abolishment  of  these  so- 
cieties in  secondary  schools.  The  efforts  of  the  committee  were 
directed  to  the  organizing  of  parents'  societies,  and  to  the  se- 
curing of  necessary  instruction  for  the  pupils. 

Taking  advantage  of  the  favorable  conditions  in  the  De- 
partment for  gathering  material  and  deducing  conclusions,  which 
will  be  valuable  to  the  State  Board  of  Charities,  a  Committee  on 
the  Etiology  of  Dependence  was  appointed.  Miss  Addams, 
Miss  McDowell,  Miss  Lathrop  and  Mrs.  Graham  Taylor  of 
the  Department,  and  Miss  Breckenridge  of  the  University  con- 
sented to  serve.  February  10,  1908,  the  Department  once  more 
took  up  the  investigation  of  baby  farms  and  day  nurseries  with 
the  assurance  of  every  help  from  the  Health  Department.  The 
Department  had  one  trained  investigator  to  assist  in  the  work, 
and  in  1909,  sent  an  investigator  to  several  places,  where  it  was 
said  children  boarders  were  to  be  found  and  only  two  of  the 
homes  were  objectionable.  The  Committee  was  instructed  to 
continue  investigations,  and  take  steps  to  have  those  baby  farms 
closed  that  do  not  conform  to  the  law. 

December  26,  1906,  the  Reform  Department  established  a 
day  camp,  where  tuberculosis  patients  could  receive  care,  advice 
and  proper  food  at  the  Tuberculosis  Hospital  at  Dunning.  The 
Department  appointed  in  1909,  a  Prisoners'  Friend  Commit- 
tee, to  extend  aid  to  women  discharged  from  the  Bridewell. 
The  Committee  on  Infant  Welfare  established  a  milk  depot 
in  a  district  on  the  southwest  side,  and  engaged  a  young 
woman  as  interpreter  and  nurse.  From  July  1  to  October  1, 
1909,  7,000  bottles  of  milk  were  distributed  to  125  families. 
A  letter  was  read  from  the  principal  of  the  Schiller  School, 
acknowledging  a  contribution  for  milk. 

The  Reform  Department  reported  in  October,  1905,  that 
fine  work  was  being  accomplished  by  the  Children's  Hospital 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  251 

Society,  an  offshoot  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  now  only 
three  years  old,  in  good  financial  condition,  and  taking  its  place 
among  the  recognized  charities  of  our  city.  The  Department 
presented  to  the  Club  the  need  of  dairy  farm  inspection,  asking 
that  it  take  the  initiative  in  securing  the  assistance  of  the  League 
of  Cook  County  Clubs  in  instituting  and  supporting  this  serv- 
ice. 

February  28,  1906,  the  Club  endorsed  the  movement  for 
the  investigation  of  industrial  conditions  of  women  in  the  United 
States.  The  Secretary  of  the  Club  wrote  to  the  Illinois  Sena- 
tors and  Representatives  in  the  National  Congress,  also  to  the 
members  of  the  Appropriations  Committee  of  the  House  of  Rep- 
resentatives, requesting  that  an  appropriation  be  made  for  this 
purpose.  A  conference  on  industrial  conditions  of  women  was 
held  in  November,  1906,  under  the  auspices  of  the  University 
of  Chicago,  Hull  House  and  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  Jan- 
uary 9,  1907,  the  Club  endorsed  the  holding  of  an  industrial 
exhibit,  and  voted  $200  toward  the  expense  of  the  exhibit  at 
Brooks'  Casino,  March  11,  1907.  From  an  article  written  at 
the  time,  we  quote:  Of  national  import  is  the  original  research 
made  by  the  Chicago  Woman's  Qub  on  "Women  in  Modern 
Industrialism"  under  leadership  of  Mrs.  Ellen  Henrotin.  Last 
year  a  comprehensive  conference  on  this  subject — a  subject  so 
important  that  President  Roosevelt  urged  Congress  to  make  an 
appropriation  for  its  thorough  investigation — paved  the  way 
for  another  extraordinary  four  days'  conference  in  Chicago  this 
spring,  to  be  participated  in  by  foremost  students  of  the  woman 
who  toils. 

On  February  21,  1906,  the  Club  voted  to  ask  the  Board 
of  Education  to  continue  the  studies  of  manual  training  and 
domestic  science  commenced  in  the  grammar  grade,  through  the 
High  School  course.  The  following  committee  was  appointed: 
Mrs.  Lorenz,  Chairman ;  Mesdames  Llewellyn,  Lane,  Lynden 
Evans,  Stella  Dyer  Loring,  Alice  P.  Norton  and  Wilbur  S. 
Jackman.  The  Domestic  Science  Committee  reported  April 
25,  that  the  School  Management  Committee  had  signified  the 
intention  of  placing  domestic  science  in  two  of  the  High  Schools. 


252  ANNALS  OF  THE 

The  committee  was  requested  by  the  Board  of  Education  to 
prepare  the  courses  in  detail  and  the  curriculum  still  in  use  is 
the  one  outlined  by  this  committee. 

Two  bills  for  which  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  worked 
were  passed  by  the  Legislature — one  raising  the  age  of  consent 
from  fourteen  to  sixteen  years,  and  one  providing  for  the  pun- 
ishment of  crimes  against  children.  Other  bills  endorsed  and 
worked  for  by  the  Club  were :  On  the  raising  of  the  saloon 
license  to  $1,000;  on  the  repeal  of  the  code  which  allows  the 
sale  of  liquors  in  dance  halls;  on  recommending  for  re-election 
aldermen  who  voted  for  the  $1,000  saloon  license. 

As  a  result  of  the  work  of  the  Committee  for  Cook  County 
Institutions,  the  children's  ward  at  Dunning  became  an  accom- 
plished fact.  It  was  recommended  that  the  Reform  Depart- 
ment furnish  a  manual  training  equipment  for  the  Jail  School 
and  secure  a  man  as  teacher ;  $100.00  was  appropriated  from  the 
reserve  fund  and  individuals  volunteered  to  raise  the  additional 
amount. 

On  request  of  the  Committee  on  Juvenile  Court,  a  teacher 
was  appointed  to  instruct  the  boys  while  in  the  Detention  Home. 
The  Finance  Committee  of  the  Council  voted  to  appropriate 
$20,000.00  for  a  building  site  for  the  new  Juvenile  Court  Build- 
ing, and  the  County  would  erect  a  building.  A  daily  session 
of  court  would  then  be  held.  There  were  two  to  three  hundred 
volunteers  to  assist  the  probation  officers. 

In  1907,  the  County  Board  made  an  additional  appropria- 
tion for  the  Jail  School  supplies,  which  had  been  furnished  by 
the  Reform  Department  for  eleven  years.  The  Reform  De- 
partment asked  the  Club  to  appoint  a  committee  of  three  to 
co-operate  with  similar  committees  from  other  women's  or- 
ganizations in  asking  that  sex  shall  not  be  a  qualification  for 
municipal  suffrage,  but  that  Chicago  women  may  vote  at  all 
municipal  elections  on  equal  terms  with  men ;  this  resolution 
was  sent  to  the  Charter  Convention. 

The  Study  Class  of  the  Philosophy  and  Science  Depart- 
ment met  the  second  and  fourth  Monday  afternoons  of  each 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  253 

month  during  1906-1907,  to  discuss  problems  presented  by 
Professor  William  James  in  his  book  on  "Varieties  of  Reli- 
gious Experience."  The  Department  gave  a  scholarship  to  a 
woman  student  at  the  University  of  Chicago,  preference  being 
given  to  one  who  had  shown  distinction  in  philosophy  or 
science.  For  the  year  1907-1908,  the  Department  devoted 
twelve  meetings  to  studies  in  anthropology.  In  1908-1909,  Pro- 
fessor George  Burnam  Foster  gave  eight  lectures  on  the  "His- 
tory of  Religion."  In  1909-1910,  Alice  Bradford  Wiles  led 
a  class  in  "The  Philosophy  of  Current  History,"  and  Caroline 
K.  Sherman,  one  in  "The  Old  Testament  in  the  Light  of  Mod- 
ern Scientific  Research." 

December  26,  1906,  the  Club  adopted  the  following  reso- 
lution: "In  view  of  the  Christmas  work  in  the  stores,  and  the 
night  work  required  of  clerks  at  this  season,  Resolved,  That 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  appeal  to  the  public:  First,  to  em- 
ployers to  pay  clerks  for  over-work;  second,  to  request  con- 
sumers to  do  all  in  their  power  to  alleviate  conditions  by  be- 
ginning at  once  to  do  their  Christmas  shopping;  to  shop  early 
in  the  day  and  to  refuse  to  shop  at  night." 

The  Reform  Department  gave  $40  to  assist  in  making  an 
investigation  of  the  conditions  of  the  clerks  within  the  loop 
during  the  holiday  season.  This  information  was  issued  as  a 
pamphlet  before  Christmas  to  urge  the  public's  aid  in  a  move- 
ment to  secure  overpay  for  overtime  work. 

April  13,  1910,  the  program  of  the  day  was  in  charge  of 
the  Philanthropy  Department,  in  behalf  of  the  movement  to 
enforce  the  Saturday  afternoon  closing  of  the  stores  during  the 
summer  months,  and  an  organizing  committee  was  appointed 
with  power  to  add  to  its  numbers. 

The  Committee  on  Handicraft  in  the  Public  Schools  during 
1905  prepared  a  collection  to  be  transferred  from  one  school 
to  another,  to  give  standards  and  establish  ideals  of  practical 
things  that  were  really  artistic  and  that  could  be  made  by  chil- 
dren. The  vastness  of  the  Chicago  schools,  however,  and  the 
narrowness  of  the  resources  of  the  Committee,  led  them  to 


254  ANNALS  OF  THE 

try  to  devise  some  plan  by  which  one  collection  could  be  made 
to  cover  more  ground,  and  as  a  result  of  their  deliberations  it 
was  decided  to  place  a  collection  in  the  City  Normal  School. 
The  collection  contains  good  examples  of  pottery  in  tiles,  vases 
and  bowls,  baskets,  textiles,  embroideries  and  metal  work.  It 
was  the  plan  of  the  Committee  to  accompany  this  collection  with 
occasional  talks  upon  artistic  handicraft,  which  should  aim  to 
give  the  young  teachers  who  are  being  trained  at  the  Normal 
School  some  knowledge  of  the  principles  which  underlie  art, 
and  some  intelligent  ground  for  distinguishing  between  the  ar- 
tistic and  the  inartistic. 

In  December,  1906,  the  collection  was  installed  at  the  City 
Normal  School,  carefully  listed,  placed  in  a  large  glass  case 
and  the  key  delivered  to  the  principal,  Mrs.  Young.  The  col- 
lection was  added  to  from  time  to  time,  and  upon  the  request 
of  the  City  Normal  School,  was  continued  there;  in  1910,  the 
committee  reported  the  addition  of  tapestry,  several  designs  in 
silk  and  Newcomb  and  Deerfield  needlework.  These  also  are 
enclosed  in  a  glass  case,  suitably  labeled,  and  well  placed. 

November  28,  1906,  the  committee  doing  neighborhood 
work  in  the  public  schools  reported  that  it  had  consulted  with 
the  Superintendent  of  Schools,  Mr.  E.  G.  Cooley,  with  the  princi- 
pal and  teachers  of  the  John  Hamline  School,  and  with  the 
head  probation  officer  of  the  Juvenile  Court,  Mr.  H.  W.  Thurs- 
ton,  in  regard  to  the  needs  of  certain  districts,  and  the  best  lo- 
cation for  such  a  center.  It  was  decided  to  begin  work  at  once, 
at  the  John  Hamline  School,  and  to  secure  as  supervisor,  Miss 
Louise  Montgomery,  a  graduate  of  the  University  of  Minne- 
sota, who  had  had  successful  experience  as  a  normal  teacher 
and  as  a  settlement  worker.  A  special  circular  was  issued,  de- 
scribing the  needs  of  neighborhood  work  in  public  schools,  and 
the  work  done  at  the  Hamline  School  during  1905-1906,  with 
an  appeal  for  additional  help  that  the  work  might  be  enlarged 
during  the  year.  April  24,  1907,  the  Committee  of  the  Ham- 
line  School  reported  that  it  was  still  in  the  experimental  stage 
of  such  a  broad  educational  plan  for  protecting  the  children 
from  the  temptations  of  city  life.  To  bring  the  school  and 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  255 

home  more  closely  together  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  Ham- 
line  School,  took  years  of  hard,  tactful  work  on  the  part  of 
Miss  Louise  Montgomery,  supported  by  a  strong,  enthusiastic 
committee. 

In  April,  1908,  the  committee  again  reports :  The  prin- 
cipal of  the  school  feels  the  great  value  of  the  work  done  in 
the  homes,  the  various  clubs,  classes,  and  excursions,  and  very 
high  commendation  of  this  new  form  of  socializing  education 
has  been  given  by  noted  educators  from  several  other  cities. 
It  is  practically  vacation  school  principle,  method  and  spirit,  ap- 
plied to  the  life  of  the  social  groups  outside  of  school  hours. 
In  January,  1909,  Mrs.  Putnam  gave  a  short  account  of  the 
Public  School  Center  Committee  work.  The  children  and  their 
parents  had  been  interested,  and  alumni  societies  among  the 
children,  who  had  to  leave  the  school,  had  worked  marvelously 
well  for  good.  While  the  mothers  looked  askance  at  cooking 
lessons  at  first,  as  too  prosaic,  they  were  finally  won  over. 

April  28,  1909,  a  set  of  resolutions  presented  by  the  Educa- 
tion Department  was  endorsed  by  the  Club  and  sent  to  the  Edu- 
cation Committee  of  the  Charter  Convention,  in  which  the  fol- 
lowing points  were  made: 

That  all  school  buildings  be  used  for  school  extension  pur- 
poses, free  of  charge;  that  the  law  concerning  the  amount  of 
money  available  for  school  taxes  state  the  minimum  instead  of 
the  maximum  limit,  and  that  the  appointment  of  teachers  be 
based  upon  educational  qualifications  and  general  fitness.  At 
a  luncheon  of  the  Department  held  on  Saturday,  November 
13,  1909,  Mrs.  W.  I.  Thomas  gave  an  address  on  children's 
theatres  and  5-cent  shows.  The  address  was  such  a  revelation 
of  actual  conditions  and  crying  needs  to  help  the  girls  par- 
ticularly of  our  great  city  that  every  person  present  was  deeply 
stirred.  A  special  committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  co-operate 
with  Mrs.  Thomas  in  her  work  with  the  Juvenile  Protective 
Association.  That  Committee  began  work  at  once  for  young 
people  and  for  educating  public  opinion  upon  constructive  lines. 

The  newly  re-organized  Permanent  School  Extension  Com- 
mittee reported  January,  1909,  that  it  was  considering  several 


256  ANNALS  OF  THE 

lines  of  work  in  connection  with  school  buildings  and  small 
parks,  the  supplying  of  milk  and  crackers  once  a  day  for  a 
nominal  sum  to  small  school  children ;  arrangements  for  study 
hours  after  school  for  the  older  pupils ;  special  classes  in  fancy 
work ;  furnishing  money  to  pay  a  school  helper  to  take  children 
in  charge  after  school  hours.  January  19,  1910,  Ellen  S.  Bryant, 
Chairman  of  the  School  Extension  Committee,  reported  as  fol- 
lows: 

A  year  ago  the  Vacation  School  Committee  lost  its  excuse 
for  being,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  Board  of  Education  made 
an  increased  appropriation  and  assumed  active  control  of  these 
summer  schools,  which  had  been  maintained  by  the  women's 
clubs  of  the  county  twelve  years  after  the  initial  movement  was 
started  by  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  In  March,  1909,  this 
committee  reorganized  into  the  Permanent  School  Extension 
Committee,  having  for  its  object  the  larger  use  of  our  ex- 
pensive school  plant,  closed  for  so  many  hours  to  the  children 
for  whom  it  is  organized,  for  a  better  use  of  our  small  park 
field-houses;  in  fact,  to  utilize  material  at  hand  for  the  longer 
vacation  season,  the  time  when  children  are  out  of  school.  The 
committee  voted  to  conduct  its  work  through  the  following 
standing  committees :  Story  Telling,  Mrs.  I.  S.  Blackwelder, 
chairman ;  the  work  of  this  committee  is  to  organize  and  con- 
duct story  hours  at  schools,  libraries  and  recreation  centers; 
Playgrounds,  Amalie  Hofer,  chairman;  the  work  of  this  com- 
mittee is  to  secure  social  helpers  for  park  houses,  and  to  co- 
operate with  the  same  in  securing  music,  lectures,  excursions 
and  festivals ;  Hamline  School,  Mrs.  Joseph  Putnam,  chairman ; 
this  committee  continues  the  work  already  established  there 
under  the  direction  of  a  social  helper.  Through  the  request  of 
Amalie  Hofer  Jerome,  permission  was  given  our  Committee 
to  place  a  social  worker  in  West  Park  No.  3,  now  Dvorak 
Park.  A  woman  was  secured  and  maintained  as  social  helper 
in  this  playground  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  a  few  months, 
the  experiment  proved  so  satisfactory,  that  the  West  Park 
Commissioners  voted  to  place  such  a  worker  in  each  of  its 
playgrounds.  The  Permanent  School  Extension  Committee 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  257 

held  monthly  meetings,  which  were  attended  by  representatives 
of  many  women's  organizations.  On  April  27,  1910,  the  Chair- 
man reported:  There  is  marked  evidence  of  a  general  awak- 
ening of  Chicago  in  the  direction  of  the  school  as  the  natural 
social  center.  The  Board  of  Education  has  recently  sent  a  com- 
mission to  study  the  social  uses  made  of  schools  in  other  cities, 
and  our  city  superintendent  has  expressed  the  purpose  of  mak- 
ing permanent  many  of  the  features  so  long  desired  and  asked 
for  by  our  committee  as  well  as  others. 

October  25,  1905,  Mrs.  O'Connor  gave  the  report  of  the 
Neighborhood  Center  Committee,  which  was  a  result  of  the 
United  Study  Class  of  several  years  ago.  The  work  of  the 
Committee  combined  the  idea  of  the  use  of  the  school  house 
by  the  community,  and  the  cleaning  of  the  city.  There  were 
about  fifty  improvement  associations  in  Chicago,  and  there  was 
co-operation  between  the  City  Hall  and  the  improvement  asso- 
ciations. In  1906,  the  Neighborhood  Center  Committee  reported 
the  forming  of  new  associations.  Parlor  meetings  of  Club 
members  were  held,  some  of  the  largest  improvement  associa- 
tions in  the  city  being  commenced  in  this  way.  There  were 
then  87  improvement  associations  in  Chicago  and  its  suburbs. 
Where  three  years  ago  the  committee  would  beg  for  a  hearing 
in  different  places,  at  this  time,  there  were  more  demands  than 
could  be  attended  to.  In  1907,  the  Committee  stated  that  sev- 
eral public  meetings  were  held  where  the  people  of  the  neigh- 
borhood, the  principals  of  the  schools,  the  superintendents  of 
streets,  and  ward  superintendents  came  together  and  discussed 
methods  of  improving  existing  conditions.  The  Committee  tried 
to  convince  the  Board  of  Education  that  such  meetings  should 
be  held  in  every  public  school  building.  The  Board  sanctioned 
the  sending  out  in  the  name  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  a 
call  for  public  meetings  in  the  interest  of  civic  improvement. 

Mrs.  John  C.  Bley,  Chairman  of  the  Neighborhood  Center 
Committee,  reported  on  January  22,  1908,  as  follows :  "Be- 
sides the  fourteen  representatives  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
who  compose  the  Committee,  twenty-nine  other  organizations 
were  represented:  These  were  grouped  in  the  following  sub- 


258  ANNALS  OF  THE 

committees:  Organization,  garbage,  sanitation,  school  exten- 
sion, smoke  and  gardens.  The  Neighborhood  Center  Commit- 
tee was  working  through  the  city  council  and  the  women's 
clubs  of  Chicago  to  secure  municipal  control  of  city  shade  trees. 
A  mass  meeting  was  held  in  Fullerton  Hall  Sunday  afternoon, 
November  10,  1908,  in  the  interest  of  a  "Better  Chicago,"  in 
which  the  Union  League  Club,  Commercial  Club,  City  Club, 
Hamilton  Club,  and  Municipal  Art  League  co-operated.  The 
Neighborhood  Center  Committee  reported  of  the  mass  meeting 
at  Fullerton  Hall,  January  31,  1909:  "So  great  was  the  in- 
terest and  enthusiasm  aroused,  that  of  the  thirty  prominent 
citizens  appointed  to  form  the  'Tree  Committee,'  not  one  de- 
clined to  serve.  The  first  work  of  the  Tree  Committee  was  to 
secure  an  appointment  for  five  of  its  members  with  the  Mayor. 
He  promised  to  aid  them  in  securing  a  city  forester.  The  Com- 
mittee drafted  the  bills,  which  passed  the  council,  and  a  city 
forester  was  assured  us.  Though  other  clubs  co-operated  with 
ours,  the  entire  expense  of  the  mass  meeting  was  borne  by  our 
own  Committee."  The  committee  took  up  the  work  for  the 
trees  of  the  city,  to  arouse  interest  and  public  sentiment  in  re- 
gard to  their  care.  April  14,  1909,  the  city  block  selected  to 
be  planted  with  trees  was  Thirty-third  Place,  between  Halsted 
and  Morgan  Streets.  Forty-four  trees  were  planted  by  the 
Club  on  Arbor  Day  at  33rd  Place. 

The  Neighborhood  Center  Committee,  feeling  that  its  name 
did  not  adequately  indicate  its  work,  voted  to  adopt  the  name, 
"Committee  on  Civics,"  in  1909. 

The  Civics  Committee,  January  19,  1910,  called  attention 
to  the  pamphlet  issued  by  the  Neighborhood  Center  Committee 
of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  last  year,  compiled  by  Amalie 
Hofer  Jerome.  It  contains  a  historical  sketch  of  the  neighbor- 
hood improvement  societies  inaugurated  by  the  Neighborhood 
Center  Committee  from  1901  to  1909,  inclusive;  also  a  roster 
of  improvement  clubs  in  and  about  Chicago,  and  much  informa- 
tion concerning  their  work.  Coming  from  the  press  early  in  the 
fall  it  met  with  great  appreciation.  Many  calls  were  received 
for  copies,  the  last  request  coming  from  Montreal. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  259 

April  27,  1910,  the  Home  Department  reported  the  forma- 
tion of  a  class  in  Landscape  Gardening. 

The  Program  Committee  expressed  its  indebtedness  to  and 
appreciation  of,  the  dramatic  sub-committee  in  the  arduous  work 
of  presenting  "Sister  Beatrice,"  which  was  given  by  members 
of  the  Club. 

April  15,  1906,  by  request  of  the  Library  Committee,  after 
a  visit  to  South  Chicago,  the  Public  Library  Board  placed  a 
new  station  east  of  the  river  and  a  new  station  and  a  reading 
room  in  Bessemer  Park.  November  28,  1906,  the  Committee 
revised  and  sent  out  four  traveling  libraries  to  small  clubs  in 
the  state.  Forty-one  autograph  gift  books  were  added  to  the 
authors'  collection  in  our  library.  Books,  magazines,  periodi- 
cals, and  pictorial  papers  were  sent  to  Glenwood  School  for 
Boys,  Henry  Booth  Settlement,  Dunning  Infirmary,  South  Chi- 
cago and  Armitage  Avenue  Settlements.  In  1907,  five  of  the 
twenty-two  traveling  libraries  in  circulation  throughout  the  State 
were  revised — one  with  an  entire  new  set  of  books.  The  Com- 
mittee was  fortunate  in  securing  the  services  of  Georgene  Faulk- 
ner to  undertake  the  story  telling  in  Davis  Square  in  1907,  and 
in  1909-1910  a  story  hour  was  carried  on  for  six  weeks  at  the 
Montefiore  School,  where  a  library  station  had  been  installed. 
The  children  were  divided  into  groups,  the  attendance  for  the 
six  weeks  being,  from  the  primary,  969 ,  from  upper  grades,  907. 

February  13,  1907,  Mrs.  Worthy  brought  before  the  Board 
the  question  of  publishing  a  monthly  bulletin  to  contain  an- 
nouncements and  reports,  and  moved  that  the  Club  publish  such 
a  bulletin  for  the  remainder  of  the  year,  which  was  approved. 
A  committee  of  five  was  appointed.  The  plan  was  to  print  a 
sheet  of  information  concerning  Club  affairs.  The  first  one 
issued  appeared  in  March,  1907,  and  was  followed  by  those  of 
April  and  May.  In  1908,  the  Club  Record  became  one  of  the 
recognized  activities  of  the  Club,  and  appeared  once  a  month, 
from  the  beginning  of  the  Club  year.  Each  member  received  a 
copy.  The  Record  was  continued  until  the  close  of  the  Club 
year,  1908-1909. 


260  ANNALS  OF  THE 

A  communication  was  received  from  Mrs.  Nellie  R.  Col- 
lins, of  the  Cristobal  Woman's  Club,  and  also  of  the  Canal  Zone 
Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  requesting  that  books,  pamph- 
lets and  reports  be  sent  to  these  organizations.  Greetings  were 
sent  with  the  Club  year  book  and  the  Club  Record. 

The  need  for  an  epileptic  colony  was  urged  by  the  Reform 
Department,  November  22,  1905,  and  a  mass  meeting  was  held 
in  the  Assembly  Hall  when  about  300,  including  some  of  our 
legislators,  were  present.  A  committee  of  five  was  appointed 
which  recommended  to  the  Legislative  Committee  of  the  Club 
a  bill  for  that  purpose.  It  was  requested  that  the  Club  co-op- 
erate in  the  movement  of  the  State  Federation  to  secure  an  ap- 
propriation of  $265,000  for  the  State  Epileptic  Colony  at  the 
next  session  of  the  Legislature. 

It  was  suggested  that  the  5-cent  theatres  require  legislation 
and  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Legislative  Committee. 
February  26,  1908,  the  Club  endorsed  the  resolution  protesting 
against  those  clauses  in  the  Census  Bill,  which  provided  for  the 
appointment  of  the  additional  clerical  force  through  non-com- 
petitive instead  of  through  competitive  examinations,  and  in 
April,  1909,  the  bill  for  a  Children's  Bureau,  and  a  proposed 
law  for  Illinois,  which  shall  prohibit  more  than  eight  hours  a 
day  work  for  women  in  shops  and  factories. 

A  committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  co-operate  in  the 
effort  for  a  new  hospital  for  children  and  a  new  training  school 
for  nurses  for  children. 

The  Club  endorsed  the  ordinance  for  licensing  hotels.  The 
bills,  which  the  Club  voted  to  work  especially  for,  were  the 
bill  for  the  punishment  of  crimes  against  children,  the  amend- 
ment to  the  compulsory  education  bill,  and  for  the  state  library 
bill.  The  amendment  was  a  bill  for  an  act  to  amend  sections 
one  and  four  of  an  act  to  promote  attendance  of  children  in 
schools,  and  to  prevent  truancy,  approved  June  11,  1897,  as 
amended  by  an  act  approved  May  13,  1903,  in  force  July  1, 
1903.  A  committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  co-operate  with 
other  organizations  in  the  effort  to  influence  legislation  and  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  261 

public  press,  to  see  that  bills  referring  to  our  state  institutions 
for  dependent  and  delinquent  children  be  passed  unchanged. 

On  February  27,  1907,  the  Qub  endorsed  the  civil  service 
provisions  of  the  new  charter  and  through  the  Legislative  Com- 
mittee urged  the  appropriation  asked  for  by  the  State  Commis- 
sion, and  for  the  extension  of  civil  service  in  Cook  County  and 
State  institutions  and  departments.  A  letter  was  sent  to  the 
Governor,  December,  1907,  endorsing  the  names  of  Dr.  Alice 
Hamilton  for  the  Board  of  Occupational  Diseases,  and  Miss 
Anna  Nicholes  for  the  Board  of  Protection  of  Machinery. 

This  resolution  was  passed  February  27,  1907:  That  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club,  recognizing  the  peculiar  historical  sig- 
nificance to  Chicago  of  the  death  of  Alexander  Beaubien,  place 
upon  its  minutes  the  following  record: 

"Alexander  Beaubien,  the  first  white  child  born  in  Chi- 
cago, died  at  his  home  in  this  city,  March  25,  1907,  aged  85. 
He  was  born  in  Fort  Dearborn,  and  was  the  son  of  John  B. 
Beaubien,  a  French-Canadian,  who  came  from  Detroit  to  Chi- 
cago in  1804,  the  year  the  first  house  was  built  here.  His  mother, 
the  second  wife  of  John  Beaubien,  was  a  descendant  of  the 
Potawatami  Indians.  He  was  baptized  by  a  French  missionary 
when  eight  years  old,  and  this  was  said  to  be  the  first  baptism 
in  Chicago.  His  life  spanned  the  history  of  Chicago,  for  he 
was  born  when  Chicago  meant  the  American  Fur  Company,  and 
when  he  could  see  from  his  home  every  house  in  the  little  set- 
tlement, and  he  died  when  Chicago  was  a  city  of  two  million 
inhabitants,  and  was  the  wonder  of  the  world  in  growth  and 
varied  power." 

The  Club  adopted  the  following  resolution  March  24,  1909: 
That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  request  the  police  department 
of  Chicago  to  give  special  attention  to  the  enforcement  of  the 
ordinance  prohibiting  the  use  by  minors  of  sling  shots  and  guns 
of  every  sort  within  the  city  limits. 

March  31,  1909,  Mr.  Frank  Wing,  of  the  Chicago  Tuber- 
culosis Institute,  appeared  before  the  Club.  He  said  the  body 
of  people  whom  he  represented,  were,  together  with  the  Health 


262  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Commission,  waging  a  campaign  to  save  at  least  a  part  of  the 
immense  number  of  people  now  suffering  from  the  white  plague, 
believing  that  it  was  a  preventable  disease,  and  as  much  to  be 
legislated  against  as  small  pox.  He  said  that  on  Tuesday,  April 
6,  the  men  of  Chicago  would  vote  on  the  question  of  taxation  to 
provide  for  a  means  of  fighting  the  disease,  and  he  asked  that 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  give  its  endorsement  to  the  measure. 
The  Club  endorsed  the  proposed  tax  for  fighting  tuberculosis. 

April  3,  1907,  this  resolution  was  passed :  "Inasmuch  as 
one  of  our  members  has  been  honored  by  the  citizens  of  her 
town  and  elected  to  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace ;  Resolved, 
That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  send  to  Mrs.  Catherine  Waugh 
McCulloch  a  note  of  hearty  congratulations." 

April  10,  1907,  it  was  voted  that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
aid  the  Municipal  Art  League  to  decorate  the  walls  of  the 
Juvenile  Court  waiting  and  detention  rooms,  and  that  an  ap- 
propriation of  $200  be  donated  for  that  purpose.  The  Com- 
mittee on  Mural  Decorations  concluded  that  the  court  room 
walls  were  unsuitable  for  decoration,  because  of  lack  of  light 
in  the  room.  They  chose  instead  the  walls  of  the  play  room 
at  the  Crippled  Children's  Home. 

February  23,  1910,  this  resolution  was  passed:  Whereas, 
There  is  now  pending  a  revised  building  ordinance  before  the 
City  Council,  which  embodies  a  section  allowing  bill  boards  to 
be  placed  upon  the  roofs  of  buildings  within  the  fire  limits,  as 
well  as  upon  buildings  in  outlying  parts,  which  would,  if  passed, 
allow  an  unsightly  disfigurement  of  our  city,  as  well  as  a  source 
of  danger  in  case  of  fire  or  insecure  fastenings,  and 

Whereas,  Reliable  legal  opinion  advises  that  the  City  Coun- 
cil may  prohibit  the  passage  of  that  part  of  the  ordinance  al- 
lowing bill  boards  to  be  placed  upon  roofs ; 

Therefore,  Be  it  resolved  that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club, 
as  an  organization,  protest  against  this  proposed  unnecessary 
disfigurement  and  ask  the  City  Council  to  vote  against  that 
part  of  the  ordinance  allowing  bill  boards  to  be  placed  upon 
the  roofs  of  buildings  in  Chicago. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  263 

October  27,  1909,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  arrange 
for  a  memorial  to  Dr.  Stevenson  to  be  placed  in  the  Club  rooms. 

November  3,  1909,  the  special  order  of  business  was  the 
consideration  of  the  ten-hour  law  for  women  in  Illinois.  A 
delegate  to  the  conference  at  New  Haven  concerning  infant 
mortality  was  decided  upon,  her  expenses  to  be  paid.  Dele- 
gates were  appointed  to  the  Conference  of  the  Illinois  Outdoor 
Improvement  Association  at  Bloomington,  and  to  the  National 
Civic  Congress  in  New  York.  In  December,  1909,  it  was  voted 
to  buy  enough  tuberculosis  Christmas  stamps  to  place  on  all 
business  notices  sent  out  by  the  Club  during  December.  On 
December  15,  Mrs.  Coonley  Ward  moved  that  the  Club  urge 
upon  members  of  the  City  Council  to  have  names  of  streets  in 
large  letters  displayed  on  signs  fastened  to  at  least  two  build- 
ings at  every  intersection  of  streets. 

The  Legislative  Committee  reported  April  27,  1910:  Last 
year  the  committee  was  busy  with  efforts  to  help  in  things 
nation  wide,  such  as  the  matter  of  the  tariff,  the  Hetch-Hetchy 
Valley,  pure  food  laws  and  forest  reserves.  This  year  the  com- 
mittee sent  but  one  request  to  Washington ;  that  was  in  the 
nature  of  a  resolution  to  the  senators  and  representatives  from 
Illinois,  endorsing  Gifford  Pinchot  in  his  effort  to  conserve  the 
natural  resources  of  the  United  States  for  all  the  people  for  all 
the  time.  A  request  for  a  municipal  lodging  house  for  women 
was  endorsed  and  the  very  recent  activity  of  the  city  in  accept- 
ing the  hospitality  of  the  Model  Lodging  House  is  proof  of 
the  value  of  the  work  done  last  winter  to  relieve  the  situation 
in  the  city.  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  stood  for  the  Ten- 
Hour  Law,  which  has  just  been  confirmed  by  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  State,  is  a  matter  for  congratulation. 

In  April,  1906,  a  committee  was  appointed  from  the  Phil- 
anthropy Department  to  investigate  and  report  on  the  matter 
of  securing  some  one  to  teach  reading  to  the  adult  blind  of 
Chicago.  At  the  November  meeting  the  committee  was  made 
permanent,  and  proceeded  to  raise  money  for  the  teacher's 
salary.  The  teaching  began  December  1,  1906,  with  19  pupils. 


264  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Over  one  hundred  letters  were  sent  out  by  the  committee  ask- 
ing for  funds  to  carry  on  the  work.  The  committee  took  the 
name  of  "Home  Teaching  of  the  Adult  Blind."  An  effort  was 
made  to  alleviate  the  utterly  cheerless  and  helpless  condition 
of  the  adult  blind  of  our  city,  of  whom  it  was  estimated  there 
were  2,000.  In  no  other  large  city  of  the  country  had  these 
unfortunates  remained  so  long  without  charitable  or  public  as- 
sistance. Our  city  authorities  declared  themselves  without  the 
means  for  undertaking  this  work.  The  Public  Library  was 
well  supplied  with  books  for  the  blind,  which  had  heretofore 
been  little  used.  At  the  request  of  the  Committee,  the  Public 
Library  distributed  these  books  for  the  use  of  the  blind,  as  it 
did  other  books,  but  was  unable  to  provide  instruction,  or  the 
supervision  of  instruction.  During  1906-1907  the  committee  en- 
gaged a  teacher,  collected  addresses  of  those  who  needed  in- 
struction and  raised  a  large  fund  to  support  the  work.  The  un- 
dertaking prospered  and  industrial  teachers  were  added  to 
those  teaching  reading. 

The  teacher  started  the  home  industrial  work  with  six 
pupils;  in  June,  1906,  there  were  17  pupils  receiving  instruc- 
tion in  reading  and  industrial  work.  A  second  teacher  was  en- 
gaged in  June,  1907.  There  were  19  pupils  in  November — 
willow  work,  basket  making  and  hammock  making  were  added 
to  the  trades  taught.  The  Public  Library  was  requested  in 
December,  1908,  to  provide  additional  books  in  raised  type; 
two  looms  were  put  up  at  Hull  House  during  the  summer  of 
1908,  for  the  use  of  the  blind  and  a  type-writer  with  raised 
letters  was  purchased  and  also  placed  at  Hull  House ;  embossed 
shorthand  was  taught  a  little  later  in  the  year.  In  January, 
1910,  the  committee  tried  to  have  a  bill  passed,  asking  for 
state  control  and  providing  for  state  maintenance  of  home 
teaching  of  adult  blind.  The  bill  was  read  before  the  Senate, 
January  25,  1911,  and  in  the  House  at  a  later  date.  The  bill 
became  a  law.  The  committee  visited  factories  to  urge  em- 
ployers to  engage  adult  blind  when  expedient.  They  bought 
two  looms  to  place  in  homes  and  held  exhibits  of  the  work  of 
the  blind  at  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  rooms;  they  arranged 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  265 

for  readings  at  the  Public  Library;  they  pushed  bills  before 
the  Legislature  relating  to  the  blind. 

Mrs.  Alice  E.  Bates  reported  in  February,  1908,  that  the 
work  for  the  blind  had  extended  until  it  had  so  commanded 
the  attention  of  the  community  as  to  make  possible  a  plan  for 
an  institute  for  the  blind;  November  11,  she  called  attention 
to  the  blind  weaver  then  working  in  the  club  parlor,  and  to  the 
articles  on  exhibition  and  for  sale.  February  10,  1909,  Mrs. 
Nellis  came  before  the  Board  to  ask  permission  for  her  com- 
mittee to  install  a  young,  blind  girl,  whom  they  had  instructed 
in  stenography  and  typewriting,  in  the  Club  rooms  during  the 
months  of  April  and  May,  in  the  hope  that  any  member  of  the 
Club  desiring  such  work  would  give  her  employment.  The  re- 
quest was  granted. 

During  the  year  1906-1907,  a  committee  was  formed  in 
the  Philanthropy  Department  to  work  for  the  reduction  of 
social  vice  and  disease.  The  work  was  brought  to  the  Depart- 
ment by  the  chairman,  Mrs.  Alice  E.  Bates,  at  the  time  a  mem- 
ber of  both  the  State  committees  on  "Etiology  of  Dependence" 
and  on  "Care  of  Blind."  In  March,  1907,  Mrs.  Bates  reported 
that  the  new  committee  on  Social  Purity  was  made  up  of  five 
members  from  the  Philanthropy  and  five  from  the  Reform  De- 
partments and  affiliated  itself  with  the  Society  of  Social  Hygiene. 
The  name  was  subsequently  changed  to  that  of  Committee  on 
Social  Hygiene.  Lectures  on  Social  Hygiene  were  given  during 
the  summer  of  1907,  on  Saturday  afternoons  at  the  Public 
Library,  also  at  the  University  of  Chicago  and  at  the  Academy 
of  Science.  The  doctors  belonging  to  the  Club  gave  their  serv- 
ices. The  following  report  was  made  at  the  annual  meeting, 
1908: 

"The  problems  confronting  the  joint  Committee  in  its  co- 
operation with  the  Society  on  Social  Hygiene  were  complex  and 
difficult.  The  work  had  its  inception  in  the  efforts  of  the  De- 
partments to  secure  the  licensing  of  the  hotels  of  the  city,  and 
they  availed  themselves  of  every  subsequent  opportunity  to  fur- 
ther their  arduous  undertaking.  One  of  the  Open  Door  meetings 


266  ANNALS  OF  THE 

was  very  successfully  devoted  to  the  subject.  The  Committee 
was  carefully  chosen,  and  was  composed  of  some  of  the  strong- 
est and  wisest, — some  of  the  most  womanly  women, — of  the 
Departments.  They  undertook  a  work  from  which  they  would 
gladly  have  been  excused,  but  realizing  the  conditions,  they 
dared  not  withhold  such  help  as  it  was  in  their  power  to  render. 
A  corps  of  physicians,  for  the  most  part  members  of  our  Club, 
held  frequent  conferences  with  the  Committee,  and  furnished 
speakers  to  schools,  clubs  and  other  organizations.  Addresses 
for  the  benefit  of  working  girls  were  given  at  the  Public 
Library  on  Saturday  afternoons,  and  for  the  residents  of  the 
neighborhood  at  the  club  houses  in  the  small  parks."  In 
October,  1908,  the  Reform  Department  sent  a  request  to  the 
General  Federation  and  also  to  the  State  Federation  asking  that 
space  on  their  programs  be  given  to  a  conference  treating  of 
the  subject  of  Social  Hygiene. 

On  October  30,  1907,  the  program  for  the  day  was  "Pur- 
poses of  Social  Hygiene";  the  speakers — Professor  Charles  R. 
Henderson,  Mr.  W.  W.  Hallam,  Dr.  Carrie  Alexander,  Dr. 
Bertha  von  Hoosen  and  Dr.  Rosa  Engleman.  The  responsibili- 
ties of  parents,  of  teachers  and  physicians  were  discussed  by 
the  speakers,  and  Mr.  Hallam  reported  that  over  two  hundred 
men's  organizations  had  responded  with  interest  to  the  printed 
material  sent  out  by  the  society  of  this  city.  A  general  report 
of  the  work  accomplished  by  the  joint  committee  of  the  Philan- 
thropy and  Reform  Departments  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club,  showed  a  most  encouraging  outlook.  The  Committee 
perfected  arrangements  by  which  lectures  on  social  hygiene 
were  given  to  employees  of  the  large  stores  within  the  loop. 
April  28,  1909,  Mrs.  Charles  Henrotin,  Chairman,  reported: 
"This  committee  is  affiliated  with  the  Chicago  Society  of  Social 
Hygiene.  Its  work  has  been  of  an  educational  character,  ar- 
ranging lectures,  preparing  leaflets,  and  with  the  aid  of  the 
women  physicians  of  this  Club  it  has  been  placed  on  a  firm 
basis.  Requests  for  information  and  lectures  have  been  re- 
ceived from  all  over  the  country  and  it  is  hoped  that  some 
correlation  of  this  subject  with  other  studies  will  be  made  in 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  267 

the  school  curriculum.  The  Board  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  at  the  request  of  the  Reform  and  Philanthropy  Depart- 
ments gave  the  use  of  the  parlors:  for  two  courses  of  lectures 
on  Thursdays  at  4  p.  m.  for  teachers.  From  thirty  present  at 
the  first  lecture  the  audience  increased  to  over  200.  A  course 
was  given  in  the  office  of  the  Visiting  Nurses  Association  and 
to  mothers  and  children  in  the  Memorial  Hospital.  Much 
credit  is  due  to  Doctors  Van  Hoosen,  Hedger,  Yarros,  Alexander, 
Young,  Brown,  Blount  and  Engleman  for  their  unselfish  efforts 
in  this  work.  The  members  of  the  Committee  were  cautious 
in  preparing  and  distributing  printed  matter.  The  educational 
aspect  of  the  subject  was  their  chief  concern,  feeling  as  they 
did  that  some  correlation  of  this  subject  with  other  studies 
should  be  made  in  school  curricula,  and  that  children  should 
have  the  sex  life,  as  exemplified  in  nature  study,  made  part  of 
botany  and  biology."  The  Social  Hygiene  Committee  was  made 
a  Club  committee  in  1910.  February  9,  1910,  the  Club  re- 
quested the  Mayor  of  Chicago,  to  place  a  fair  proportion  of 
women  upon  the  committee  of  fifteen  which  was  to  be  ap- 
pointed by  him  to  devise  ways  and  means  for  the  diminution 
and  control  of  vice  in  the  city. 

October  9,  1907,  Professor  Rollin  D.  Salisbury  spoke  on 
"The  Physical  Evolution  of  Chicago."  He  was  followed  by 
Mrs.  Wilmarth,  who  sketched  "A  Better  Chicago,"  stating:  "It 
is  indeed  a  pleasure  to  go  through  our  city  with  a  guide 
who  shall  point  out  only  the  good.  Parks  and  playgrounds, 
institutions  of  learning,  art,  music  and  the  drama,  public  li- 
braries, hospitals  for  the  sick,  homes  for  the  dependent  and 
defective,  and  social  settlements  for  the  good  of  all,  are  all 
found  on  our  way  from  the  sunrise  over  Lake  Michigan  to 
the  sunset  across  the  prairies." 

November  24,  1907,  a  request  was  read  asking  that  a 
committee  be  formed  to  promote  education  toward  peace.  A 
standing  committee  was  appointed  to  work  with  the  National 
Peace  Society.  On  April  28,  1909,  Mrs.  Mead,  a  delegate  to 
the  Peace  Conference,  offered  the  following  resolutions: 


268  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Whereas,  A  campaign  of  education  upon  peace  and  arbi- 
tration is  to  be  carried  on  throughout  the  country  between  now 
and  1915,  when  the  third  Hague  Conference  will  meet;  and 

Whereas,  This  subject  is  to  have  a  place  on  the  program 
at  the  next  Biennial  of  the  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs; 

Resolved,  That  a  standing  committee  of  this  Club  be  ap- 
pointed to  arrange,  first,  for  at  least  one  meeting  each  year  at 
which  practical  measures  of  promoting  international  peace  shall 
be  presented,  and  second,  to  arrange  for  study  of  this  subject 
to  be  carried  on  during  the  year  by  any  group  who  may  be 
interested  in  the  subject.  Outlines  of  study  will  be  provided 
by  the  committee  on  Education  Towards  Peace. 

December  18,  1907,  the  afternoon  was  given  to  a  program 
of  Christmas  carols,  rendered  by  Mari  Ruef  Hofer  of  Columbia 
University.  The  songs  were  presented  in  groups  showing  the 
Pagan  traditions,  the  group  of  the  angels,  shepherds  and  kings, 
the  Mother  and  Child  songs,  festival  carols,  Christmas  scenes 
and  the  legends  of  Jesus.  December  30,  1908,  Lawrence  Hous- 
man's  nativity  play  "Bethlehem"  was  rendered  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Miss  Hofer,  ably  assisted  by  members  of  the  Club. 

January  8,  1908,  the  program  for  the  day  was  "A  Story 
Symposium";  there  were  four  original  stories  presented  as  fol- 
lows: "The  Chief's  Thrall- Woman,"  written  by  Ottilie  A. 
Liljencrantz,  and  read  by  Mrs.  Arthur  R.  Elliott;  "Mother 
Coronata"  was  written  and  also  read  by  Helen  Wooster  Cooley ; 
"A  Beggar's  Christmas,"  written  by  Edith  Franklin  Wyatt  and 
read  by  Mrs.  La  Verne  W.  Noyes;  "A  Maid  of  the  Fourth 
Estate,"  written  and  presented  by  Eva  Brodlique  Summers. 
April  21,  1909,  a  musicale  was  given  to  the  women's  clubs  of 
the  settlements. 

January  22,  1908,  Mrs.  Woolley  addressed  the  Club  on  the 
need  of  park  and  playground  privileges  in  the  colored  district^ 
from  22nd  to  29th  Streets  and  from  Wabash  Avenue  to 
La  Salle  Street.  The  following  resolution  offered  by  Mrs. 
Woolley  was  adopted: 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  269 

Resolved:  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  heartily  en- 
dorses the  proposition  made  by  the  Frederick  Douglas  Center 
and  sustained  by  the  Small  Parks  Commission  to  place  one  of 
these  parks,  with  field  house  and  other  equipment  needful  for 
healthful  out-door  recreation,  within  the  limits  of  the  Second 
and  Third  Wards.  We  believe  that  both  the  social  and  moral 
well-being  of  the  community  will  be  greatly  increased  by  this 
means,  and  earnestly  urge  the  members  of  the  South  Park  Com- 
mission and  others  having  influence  in  such  matters  to  carry  out 
this  plan  as  speedily  as  possible. 

An  open  meeting  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  was  held 
Feb.  5,  1908,  in  charge  of  Julia  Lathrop  and  the  subject:  "The 
Care  and  Training  of  Dependent  Girls  in  our  Institutions."  It 
was  voted  that  the  President  appoint  a  committee  of  not  more 
than  four  members  of  this  Club  and  invite  to  that  membership 
not  more  than  three  outside  of  this  city  to  formulate  a  policy 
for  the  care  of  dependent  girls  in  Illinois. 

February  12,  1908,  the  Board  endorsed  the  work  of  Mrs. 
P.  S.  Peterson  in  her  effort  to  purchase  trees  for  school  grounds. 
Mrs.  Peterson  composed  a  "Nature  Creed,"  the  proceeds  from 
the  sale  of  which  were  devoted  to  the  purchase  of  trees. 

The  Treasurer  received  in  1909,  from  Mrs.  George  B. 
Carpenter  the  sum  of  $289.75,  net  receipts  of  the  concert, 
"Songs  of  Other  Days,"  to  be  placed  in  the  fund  for  remodel- 
ing the  Club  rooms. 

March  25,  1908,  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  endorsed  the 
proposed  amendment  of  the  school  laws  of  Illinois,  which  would 
make  it  possible  for  cities  and  villages,  and  school  districts  of 
over  10,000  population  to  secure  vacation  schools  and  play- 
grounds. 

October  7,  1908,  the  program  of  the  day  was  in  charge  of 
Mrs.  Charles  Henrotin;  the  subject,  "The  Democratic  and  Re- 
publican Platforms."  C.  B.  Price  of  Troy,  Alabama,  ad- 
dressed the  Club  on  the  Democratic  platform,  and  Harry 
F.  Atwood,  Assistant  State's  Attorney,  spoke  on  the  Republican 
platform. 


270  ANNALS  OF  THE 

The  resolution  was  passed  November  1,  1908,  that  the  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club  favors  the  plan  of  the  Michigan  Avenue 
Improvement  Association  for  a  surface  connecting  boulevard 
link  between  the  North  and  South  Sides  of  the  city,  on  account 
of  its  simplicity,  its  practical,  useful  and  artistic  features,  its 
great  saving  of  expense  and  the  fact  that  it  can  be  promptly 
constructed  without  legal  delay  or  hindrance. 

The  program  for  January  17,  1909,  was  "Municipal  Suffrage 
for  Chicago  Women" ;  an  invitation  was  sent  to  the  Men's 
Suffrage  Club  and  other  organizations  of  like  character. 

In  January,  1909,  Mrs.  John  Sherwood  and  Mrs.  John 
O'Connor  asked  for  aid  in  subduing  the  smoke  nuisance  of 
Chicago.  After  advising  with  the  city  smoke  inspector,  they 
were  sure  that  with  efficient  and  thoughtful  work,  great  good 
could  be  accomplished.  It  was  in  no  way  a  matter  of  money; 
but  vigilance,  and  constant  reporting  of  every  known  viola- 
tion of  the  city  smoke  ordinance.  A  committee  was  appointed 
to  take  up  the  work.  Nov.  3,  1909,  Mrs.  Sergei  announced 
a  series  of  meetings  in  the  various  field  houses  of  the 
city  arranged  by  the  Anti- Smoke  Committee.  The  Com- 
mittee reported  April  30,  1910:  The  members  of  this  committee 
have  kept  the  matter  before  the  City  Hall  by  attending  meet- 
ings of  the  Council,  and  by  interviewing  individual  members. 
By  watching  chimneys  ceaselessly  and  reporting  offenders,  they 
have  proven  to  law-breakers  that  compliance  with  the  law  will 
be  a  necessity.  Every  woman  in  Chicago  is  interested  in  a  clean 
city.  Through  the  efforts  of  this  committee,  women  in  all  parts 
of  the  city  are  watching  the  chimneys  of  factories,  schools,  laun- 
dries and  apartment  houses,  and  reporting  violations  of  the  ordi- 
nance to  the  chief  smoke  inspector.  All  agree  that  there  has 
been  a  great  improvement  in  smoke  conditions,  especially  in  the 
loop  district,  within  the  last  year. 

The  Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Girls,  at  Evanston,  was 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Philanthropy  Department  in  1904 
by  Mrs.  Ellen  E.  L.  Woodward,  who  was  on  the  Board  of  the 
School.  She  states :  "The  law  under  which  the  school  was 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CUJB  271 

incorporated  was  drafted  in  my  house  by  Judge  and  Mrs.  Brad- 
well  and  Governor  Beveridge,  and  the  school  at  Glenwood  was 
working  under  the  same  law.  The  law  was  framed  for  helpless 
and  dependent  children,  not  for  delinquents."  The  Park  Ridge 
property  was  bought  with  money  given  to  Mrs.  Woodward  by 
Mrs.  Mancel  Talcott.  Every  girl  was  to  be  fitted  to  earn  her 
living  when  she  left,  and  agriculture  and  floriculture  were  part 
of  the  plan.  Mrs.  Woodward  was  prevented  by  ill  health  from 
taking  part  in  the  management  of  the  school,  and  felt  keenly 
the  shortcomings  of  the  training  given  its  wards  When  the 
school  was  not  fulfilling  the  work  intended  by  the  founders,  Mrs. 
Woodward  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Philanthropy  De- 
partment the  need  of  a  change  in  management.  A  committee 
was  appointed,  with  which  a  committee  from  the  Reform  De- 
partment joined  in  the  work  of  re-organization. 

December  3,  1904,  a  joint  session  of  the  Reform  and 
Philanthropy  Departments  was  held  to  consider  the  condition 
of  the  Industrial  School  for  Girls  at  Evanston.  Mrs.  Wood- 
ward gave  a  brief  history  of  the  organization,  its  work,  and  the 
number  of  girls  in  the  school ;  she  stated  that  she  was  desirous 
of  the  co-operation  of  both  the  Departments  and  would  gladly 
welcome  a  committee  to  investigate  and  re-organize  the  work 
In  February,  1905,  it  was  reported  that  at  the  Illinois  Indus- 
trial School  the  only  industrial  feature  was  housework.  As 
the  property  in  Sheridan  Road  was  valuable,  the  forty  acres  at 
Park  Ridge  should  be  used  instead,  and  the  Committee  recom- 
mended that  the  joint  Departments  of  Reform  and  Philanthropy 
co-operate  to  bring  this  about. 

February  27,  1907,  Mrs.  Solomon  reported  progress  of  the 
work  of  the  Board  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Girls ; 
their  financial  troubles  were  caused  by  clearing  up  the  load  of  debt 
left  by  the  former  management  and  putting  the  school  on  the 
firm  basis  of  regular  industrial  training.  The  school  could  not 
be  carried  on  economically  in  the  present  building,  but  would 
be  better  managed  at  the  farm  in  Park  Ridge.  April  22,  1907, 
the  Reform  Department  voted  $100  to  the  committee  for  the 
Industrial  School  at  Evanston,  and  also  voted  to  consider  the 


272  ANNALS  OF  THE 

entire  question  of  dependent  girls,  who  are  the  most  neglected 
of  all  children  in  the  State.  This  committee  worked  with  and 
for  the  board  of  the  school,  and  hoped  the  Club  would  at  once 
consider  the  erection  of  cottages  at  Park  Ridge,  where  the 
school  hoped  to  establish  its  work.  A  committee  of  five  to  raise 
funds  to  erect  a  cottage  at  Park  Ridge  was  appointed.  The 
Board  voted  May  11,  that  $500  be  given  to  the  Illinois  Indus- 
trial School  for  Girls.  In  December,  1907,  it  was  voted  that 
the  furtherance  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Girls  be 
the  special  work  of  the  Reform  Department.  Mrs.  Plummer 
stated  there  would  be  a  change  of  management  in  the  Indus- 
trial School  for  Girls  in  Evanston,  and  a  corporation  formed ; 
she  asked  that  ten  members  from  the  Reform  Department  apply 
for  membership  at  five  dollars  each.  It  was  voted  that  ten 
'members  be  appointed  and  fifty  dollars  be  appropriated  for  the 
dues.  The  following  officers  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  School 
for  Girls,  Evanston,  were  appointed,  after  the  re-organization 
of  the  school :  President,  Mrs.  Henry  Solomon ;  Vice-President, 
Mrs.  Fred  W.  Upham ;  Recording  Secretary,  Mrs.  John  E.  Lind ; 
Treasurer,  Miss  Grace  E.  Temple  and  Corresponding  Secretary, 
Mrs.  L.  M.  Greeley. 

Mrs.  Emily  Dean  Washburn  reported  May,  1907,  for  the 
Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Girls  that  a  $25,000  or  $30,000 
equity  in  the  property,  with  a  legacy  of  $150,000  were  not  ob- 
tainable at  present,  and  it  was  of  urgent  necessity  that  the 
deficit  be  met  and  thus  make  possible  a  home  and  proper  care 
for  the  125  girls  now  there,  since  this  home  is  the  only  place 
for  Protestant  girls  going  through  the  Juvenile  Court.  The  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club  appointed  a  committee  to  wait  upon  the 
Board  of  Commissioners  of  Cook  County  and  requested  that 
the  Board  live  up  to  the  full  letter  of  the  law  in  regard  to  the 
support  of  girls  sent  to  the  Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Girls 
by  Cook  County,  which  law  provides  that  a  complete  outfit  of 
clothing  shall  be  furnished  each  girl  upon  her  entrance  to  the 
school,  and  that  ten  dollars  per  month  shall  be  paid  for  her 
support.  This  committee  of  the  Club  further  requested  that 
the  county  make  a  sufficient  appropriation  for  this  purpose  so 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  273 

that  each  girl  sent  to  the  school  might  be  thus  provided  for 
promptly. 

February  26,  1908,  Mrs.  Henry  Solomon  gave  a  brief  re- 
port of  the  plan  of  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  Illinois  In- 
dustrial School  for  Girls  at  Evanston :  The  school  was  to  be  closed, 
and  the  experiment  undertaken  of  placing  the  girls  in  families 
where  they  will  be  visited  by  members  of  the  organization  and 
thus  be  under  systematic  care,  while  the  effort  is  being  made  to 
procure  funds  for  the  new  Industrial  School  to  be  built  at  Park 
Ridge.  Since  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  had  been  instrumental 
in  the  work  of  re-organizing  the  school  and  had  led  the  way  to 
the  present  situation,  Mrs.  Solomon  asked  that  the  Club  loan  the 
school  $2,500,  the  amount  which  the  school  then  owed. 

In  April,  1908,  Mrs.  Solomon  spoke  on  "Needed  Legislation 
for  Dependent  Girls,"  stating  that  the  Illinois  Industrial  School 
for  Girls  was  conducted  under  a  new  curriculum,  the  chief 
factor  in  which  was  domestic  training.  She  claimed  that  the 
allowance  of  $10  per  child  from  the  county  was  too  small  to 
give  her  this  training,  and  asked  the  members  of  the  Reform 
and  Philanthropy  Departments  to  take  charge  of  legislation 
necessary  to  raise  that  amount  to  $15  per  girl.  At  the  Board 
meeting,  March  11,  1908,  Mrs.  Henrotin  urged  that  the  request 
for  a  loan  of  $2,500  be  granted  on  purely  ethical  grounds ;  that 
this  was  an  opportunity  for  the  Club  to  do  a  really  good  thing 
and  that  so  far  as  financial  risk  was  concerned,  it  was  to  be 
noted  that  the  Board  of  Managers  of  the  School  had  brought 
order  out  of  chaos  and  the  children  themselves  were  in  good 
training,  and  from  what  had  been  done  we  could  count  on  what 
would  be  done ;  this  $2,500  was  a  temporary  relief,  which  would 
be  taken  care  of  by  the  school  upon  the  sale  of  the  school  pro- 
perty. Amalie  Hofer  pointed  out  that  to  have  the  Woman's 
Club  step  in  at  this  point  and  meet  the  present  financial  obliga- 
tions of  the  institution  would  guard  against  political  manage- 
ment, and  the  women  who  carried  the  burden  thus  far  would  be 
able  to  demand  a  higher  standard  and  greater  protection  in  State 
control  for  dependent  girls.  Mrs.  Bryant  moved  that  the  Board 
recommend  to  the  Club  that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  loan 


274  ANNALS  OF  THE 

without  security  $2,500  to  the  Illinois  Industrial  School  for 
Girls,  which  was  carried  and  was  endorsed  by  the  Qub  March 
25.  The  loan  was  repaid  a  year  later.  It  was  stated:  "Only 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  could  have,  or  would  have  saved  this 
school."  October  28,  1908,  a  committee  was  appointed  consist- 
ing of  two  members  from  each  Department,  to  further  the  in- 
terests of  the  dependent  girls  in  this  State. 

April  28,  1909,  Mrs.  Henry  Solomon  reported  that  the  Com- 
mittee on  Dependent  Children  of  Illinois  was  preparing  a  com- 
plete list  of  dependent  children,  that  they  might  be  carefully 
guarded  and  protected.  The  old  property  of  the  Illinois  In- 
dustrial School  for  Girls  had  been  disposed  of  and  new  cottages 
were  planned  at  Park  Ridge.  She  hoped  the  Woman's  Qub 
cottage  would  become  a  fact,  and  that  a  committee  would  be 
appointed  to  raise  funds.  April  28,  1909,  it  was  voted  that 
the  Board  appoint  a  committee  of  seven  to  raise  funds  by  private 
subscription  for  a  Woman's  Qub  Cottage  at  Park  Ridge,  to  cost 
about  $10,000.  November  24,  1909,  Mrs.  Heywood  submitted 
a  report  of  the  Philanthropy  Department  and  made  the  motion 
that  the  Chairmen  of  Departments  be  authorized  to  open  sub- 
scription lists  to  the  end  that  a  Chicago  Woman's  Club  cottage 
be  built  for  the  Illinois  Training  School  for  Girls  and  that  each 
member  be  asked  to  raise  ten  dollars  for  this  purpose,  payable 
before  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Qub.  The  motion  was  carried. 

Mrs.  Potter  Palmer  offered  her  house  to  the  Reform  De- 
partment for  a  musicale  and  art  exhibit  on  February  11,  1910. 
The  receipts  amounting  to  $1,445  were  given  to  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  Cottage  Fund  for  the  Illinois  Industrial  School 
February,  1910,  the  Club  voted  $50  to  the  Subscriptions  Com- 
mittee for  general  expenses.  A  check  for  $1,000  was  received 
from  Mr.  Arthur  Dixon  with  the  request  that  the  Qub  Cottage 
at  the  Illinois  Industrial  School  contain  a  room  in  memory  of 
Clara  L.  Dixon.  Mr.  Dixon  was  assured  that  his  request  would 
be  gladly  granted.  Mrs.  Henry  L.  Frank,  Treasurer  of  the  Sub- 
scriptions Committee,  reported  $10,166.71  raised  for  the  cot- 
tage, $2,000  additional  being  put  into  the  cottage  by  the  In- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  275 

dustrial  School  Board  to  make  it  fireproof.  It  was  hoped  the 
cottage  would  be  furnished  by  the  members,  as  memorial  rooms 
or  otherwise. 

Mrs.  Edward  L.  Upton,  Chairman,  reported  April  30,  1910 : 
"The  first  meeting  was  held  December  15,  1909,  at  which  time 
the  following  officers  were  elected:  Mrs.  Edward  L.  Upton, 
Chairman;  Mrs.  Porter  P.  Heywood,  Vice-Chairman ;  Mrs. 
Henry  L.  Frank,  Treasurer;  Mrs.  M.  J.  R.  Tyler,  Correspond- 
ing Secretary;  Mrs.  Richard  S.  Folsom,  Recording  Secretary. 
The  work  was  carried  on  with  the  assistance  of  the  chairmen  of 
Departments,  assisted  by  a  vice-chairman  and  a  committee  from 
each  Department,  the  entire  committee  being  known  as  the  Sub- 
scriptions Committee  of  the  Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Girls. 
The  school  being  the  ward  of  the  Reform  Department,  at  the 
business  meeting  April  20,  Mrs.  Plummer,  following  her  report, 
made  the  following  motion  which  was  passed — "That  the  Re- 
form Department  recommend  to  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
that  it  authorize  the  beginning  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
Cottage  at  Park  Ridge,  111.,  at  once;  and  that  we  pledge  our  full 
support  in  making  up  the  deficit  if  any."  This  action  was  rati- 
fied by  the  Club  at  the  business  meeting  April  27,  1910.  The 
fund  was  kept  separate  from  Club  funds  and  at  interest  until 
required.  The  Committee  recommended  that  the  Club  proceed 
with  the  building  at  once,  and  that  the  Committee  be  continued 
and  have  representation  on  the  Building  Committee.  The  Com- 
mittee recommended  that  the  Club  request  each  Department  to 
appoint  one  member  from  the  Department  to  constitute  a  perma- 
nent committee  to  co-operate  with  the  Board  of  Managers  of 
the  Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Girls  in  directing  the  welfare 
of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage.  The  Committee  also 
recommended  to  the  Club:  That  the  balance  in  the  Treasury, 
$168.55,  together  with  all  that  is  left  of  the  money  advanced 
by  the  Club  to  promote  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage 
be  given  toward  furnishing  a  room  to  be  known  as  the  Clara 
L.  Dixon  room,  and  that  the  Building  and  Furnishing  Com- 
mittee be  continued  until  their  work  is  completed." 


276  ANNALS  OF  THE 

April  26,  1911,  Mrs.  Upton  reported  for  the  Cottage  Com- 
mittee: "Today  it  is  a  pleasure  to  report  that  our  cottage  at 
Park  Ridge  is  built,  furnished,  and  the  planting  about  the 
building  provided  for.  *  *  *  Both  architecturally  and  in 
the  furnishings  the  Committee  has  avoided  an  institutional  look 
as  far  as  possible.  It  has  been  guided  by  the  members  of  the 
Board  of  the  Industrial  School,  who  have  direct  supervision  of 
the  buildings  and  furnishings.  *  *  *  The  Reform  De- 
partment has  furnished  the  dining  room  in  memory  of  our 
former  President,  Dr.  Sarah  Hackett  Stevenson,  and  one  of 
the  dormitories  in  memory  of  Alice  Ives  Stirling.  Two  found- 
ers of  the  Club  have  been  remembered,  Lucy  F.  Furness  by 
the  Home  Department,  which  has  furnished  the  house-mother's 
room,  and  Katherine  E.  Tuley  by  the  Education  Department, 
which  has  furnished  the  living  room.  The  Philosophy  and  Sci- 
ence Department  has  furnished  the  house-mother's  bedroom  in 
memory  of  Nellie  Halsted,  and  the  Philanthropy  Department, 
one  of  the  four  dormitories  in  memory  of  Mary  D.  Sturges.  Mrs. 
Dwight  Perkins  gave  a  picture  by  Jules  Guerin,  also  some  of 
her  own  beautiful  prints.  When  Mr.  Arthur  Dixon  gave  his 
generous  subscription  of  $1,000.00  toward  the  building,  it  in- 
cluded the  furnishing  of  a  room  in  memory  of  his  daughter 
Clara,  a  member  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department.  Another 
valued  member  of  this  Department,  Belle  Pratt  Magee,  has 
one  of  the  dormitories  furnished  in  her  memory  by  the  Art 
and  Literature  Department  and  friends.  We  have  eight  me- 
morial rooms  in  honor  of  valued  members.  Instead  of 
$10,000.00,  our  aim  in  the  beginning,  our  outlay  so  far  has 
been  $12,395.00." 

April  28,  1909,  the  Committee  on  Cook  County  Institutions 
of  the  Reform  Department  reported  a  new  and  important  work 
organized  this  year — the  caring  for  and  entertaining  of  con- 
valescent children  in  the  wards  and  play-room  of  the  county 
hospital,  by  trained  kindergarten  teachers ;  funds  for  which 
work  were  contributed  by  the  Reform  Department  and  Mrs. 
Perkins  Bass.  From  ten  to  fifty  children  had  been  instructed 
and  made  happier;  the  nurses,  physicians  and  officials  of  the 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CUJB  277 

hospital  heartily  approve  and  endorse  this  work.  Through  the 
efforts  of  Mrs.  Jewell,  the  crippled  children  were  taken  from 
the  hospital  to  the  schools  and  it  proved  so  effective  that  there 
was  a  prospect  of  the  city  providing  transportation  for  them 
in  the  future.  The  committee  deemed  it  wise  to  co-operate 
with  the  Juvenile  Court  Committee  by  using  their  trained  visitor, 
who  has  the  entree  at  Dunning,  to  make  investigation  of  the 
children.  An  important  point  was  gained  in  securing  the  ap- 
pointment of  a  committee  from  the  Reform  Department  to 
work  with  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  on  the  plans 
of  new  county  buildings,  and  they  were  assured  that  a  building 
would  be  provided  and  maintained  for  epileptics.  Another  new 
work  to  be  done  the  coming  year  was  the  investigation  of  the 
cases  in  the  maternity  ward  of  Cook  County  Hospital.  The 
following  year  twelve  children  were  sent  to  Gads  Hill  camp 
for  a  summer  outing,  and  convalescent  children  were  sent  by 
omnibus  to  the  crippled  children's  school.  During  the  sum- 
mer, weekly  teas  were  given  in  the  maternity  ward,  with  ap- 
propriate talks  and  readings;  a  teacher  was  kept  at  $20  a 
month,  for  the  convalescent  children  of  the  ward;  toys  and 
books  were  given  for  the  use  of  the  teacher. 

The  Prison  Reform  Committee,  Mrs.  Frederick  Lorenz, 
chairman,  reported  in  April,  1909,  that  the  Jail  School  had  been 
in  session  eleven  months  of  the  year,  with  an  average  attend- 
ance of  thirty  boys  or  men  daily.  The  special  work  had  been 
to  cut  down  the  sentences,  and  this  had  had  the  co-operation 
of  the  judges.  Another  step  forward  in  the  work  reported  was 
securing  an  appropriation  from  the  County  Board  for  a  fumigating 
room  or  plant.  The  committee  secured  the  appointment  of  a 
resident  physician  from  5  to  8  p.  m.  daily;  medical  examina- 
tions of  all  incoming  prisoners,  segregation  and  isolation  of 
cases  of  tuberculosis  and  skin  diseases;  baths  for  prisoners  and 
speedy  trials  for  the  boys.  Proper  caring  for  defective  eyes, 
together  with  the  problems  of  the  woman's  department,  both 
as  to  physical  and  moral  needs  were  being  carefully  looked  after. 
A  Committee  of  Judges,  advisory  to  the  County  Board,  declared 
that  the  newly  created  position  of  examining  physician  at  the 


278  ANNALS  OF  THE 

jail,  is  to  be  non-political  and  the  physician  is  to  be  appointed 
by  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  The  Committee  asked  the 
County  Board  for  an  appropriation  of  $1,000  for  the  fumiga- 
tion plant,  so  that  all  clothing  and  bedding  could  be  sterilized. 
The  articles  made  at  the  John  Worthy  School  were  allowed  to 
be  disposed  of.  An  encouraging  feature  in  the  work  was  that 
instead  of  asking  for  an  appropriation,  the  Chairman  was  in- 
vited before  the  finance  committee  of  the  County  Board  to 
state  what  sum  was  needed.  One  hundred  dollars  was  the 
Department  gift  for  this  work.  A  piano  was  presented  to  the 
School  through  Mrs.  Lorenz. 

For  many  years  the  Prison  Reform  Committee  battled 
against  the  unscrupulous  lawyers  who  preyed  on  prisoners  in 
our  penal  institutions.  A  woman  physician  was  secured  for 
the  Harrison  Street  police  station. 

The  adult  parole  or  probation  law  was  first  spoken  of 
at  a  meeting,  December  6,  1906.  In  1909  we  endorsed  a  bill 
on  adult  probation,  which  is  now  a  law. 

In  the  years  1909-1911  the  Prison  Reform  Committee  made 
an  investigation  of  the  45  police  stations  of  the  city,  and  found 
that  39  should  be  condemned  on  account  of  dampness,  dark- 
ness, dirt,  vermin  and  bad  sanitation;  five  were  partially  ha- 
bitable, and  one  normal.  The  last  did  not  receive  women. 

At  the  County  Jail  the  Committee  were  pioneers  in  the 
examination  of  the  boys'  eyes  by  an  expert  oculist,  supplying 
atropin  and  glasses  when  needed.  The  Committee  also  sup- 
plied clothing,  stamps,  shoestrings,  money  for  hair  cutting  and 
shaving,  investigated  cases,  visited  homes,  frequently  found 
temporary  quarters  for  those  released,  found  work  for  some; 
looking  after  the  women  as  well  as  the  boys. 

On  Thanksgiving  Day,  an  entertainment  was  given  in  the 
boys'  school  at  the  jail. 

January  5,  1910,  the  Education  Department  reported  pro- 
grams on  different  phases  of  education,  of  great  value  to  par- 
ents and  teachers,  on  work  for  the  improvement  of  the  physical 
conditions  in  schools,  and  also  of  methods  of  teaching.  Feb- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  279 

ruary  23,  permission  was  given  the  Philanthropy  and  Reform 
Departments  to  start  a  movement  for  Saturday  closing  in  the 
loop  district  through  the  heated  term.  January  12,  1910,  twen- 
ty-five boys  from  Glenwood  School  were  guests  of  the  Club  at 
the  lecture  given  by  Mr.  Montague  Ferry.  April  27,  The  Child 
Labor  Committee  called  attention  to  the  fact  that  Chicago  has 
no  provision  for  regulating  the  ages  and  hours  of  children 
engaged  in  street  trades,  and  in  this  respect  is  far  behind  Bos- 
ton, Buffalo  and  New  York. 

December  7,  Mrs.  Frank  A.  Johnson  gave  a  eulogy  on 
the  work  of  Mrs.  Katherine  E.  Tuley  in  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club,  and  suggested  the  fitness  of  a  memorial  to  Mrs.  Tuley 
in  the  furnishing  of  a  room  at  the  Park  Ridge  Industrial  School 
by  the  Education  Department,  of  which  Mrs.  Tuley  had  long 
been  a  valued  and  beloved  member. 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department  reported  for  1905,  1906, 
1907  and  1908: 

In  November,  1905,  on  motion  of  Mrs.  Louise  C.  Stanton, 
it  was  voted  that  the  Department  appropriate  a  certain  sum  of 
money  to  be  expended  for  artistic  appointments,  and  $100  was 
set  aside  for  this  purpose.  During  the  next  two  years,  it  was 
the  policy  of  the  Department  to  use  the  money  that  was  not 
actually  needed  for  current  expenses  and  for  the  usual  philan- 
thropies, in  buying  artistic  furnishings  for  the  Club  rooms. 

In  literature  the  winter's  study  for  1905-1906  was  the 
"Evolution  of  Literature  in  Europe."  The  Music  Study  Class 
was  well  attended  and  the  programs  enthusiastically  received. 
To  the  Hospitality  Committee  of  the  Art  and  Literature 
Department  was  due  the  reception  given  to  Mrs.  Craigie 
during  her  visit  to  the  United  States.  After  her  re- 
turn to  England,  she  was  asked  to  give  her  views  on  America 
before  the  National  Liberal  Club,  which  had  never  previously 
invited  a  woman  to  speak.  She  spoke  strongly  of  the  club 
women  she  had  met,  and  the  influence  of  women's  clubs  upon 
the  state  of  society  in  America,  so  that  we  not  only  had  the  ex- 
treme pleasure  of  meeting  this  brilliant  woman,  but  we  also 
were  a  factor  in  her  impressions  of  America. 


280  ANNALS  OF  THE 

For  1906-1907  the  Literary  Study  Class  took  up  the 
study  of  Modern  Drama  and  Dramatists.  The  members  not 
only  studied  about  the  subject,  but  the  works  of  the  authors  as 
well.  Maude  L.  Radford  led  the  class,  and  continued  to  lead 
the  class  in  1907-1908,  in  Studies  in  Recent  Fiction.  The  French 
conversation  class  had  large  and  interested  audiences.  There 
was  also  a  talk  on  art  as  exemplified  in  the  exhibition  of  Ameri- 
can painters  at  the  Art  Institute,  by  Charles  Francis  Browne,  to 
which  all  Club  members  were  invited.  On  February  27,  1907, 
Ellen  Terry  was  the  guest  of  the  Department. 

In  1907,  a  class,  which  aroused  much  enthusiasm,  was  for 
the  study  of  Florentine  Art.  Art  study  classes  had  formed 
part  of  the  work  of  this  Department  from  the  beginning;  in 
fact,  the  first  study  class  devoted  itself  to  this  subject  in  1878. 
Later  special  art  study  classes  had  been  conducted  by  Mrs. 
Anna  P.  Atkins  and  Mrs.  Herman  J.  Hall,  and  this  class  con- 
tinued the  tradition.  The  Art  and  Literature  Department  held 
a  special  meeting  April  25,  1908,  for  the  exhibition  of  pictures 
by  Helen  Hyde,  with  an  explanatory  talk  by  Mrs.  Jacques. 
The  collection  contained  oil  paintings,  water  colors,  etchings 
and  colored  etchings,  wood  cuts  and  Japanese*  prints.  The 
exhibition  was  a  notable  occasion  and  was  largely  attended, 
not  only  by  Art  and  Literature  members,  but  by  other  Club  mem- 
bers and  the  public  as  well,  as  the  collection  remained  in  the 
Club  parlors  several  days.  Four  musicales  were  given  during 
the  year  1907-1908,  on  the  Club  program,  and  three  mornings 
were  given  to  music  study,  the  subjects  being:  Song  Cycles, 
Modern  Ballads  and  Descriptive  Music.  A  class  in  forestry 
was  formed  in  1907,  on  motion  of  Mrs.  John  Worthy,  and 
awakened  great  attention  not  only  in  this  Club,  but  in  many 
others.  Under  the  leadership  of  Mrs.  P.  S.  Peterson  a  class 
was  formed  for  practical  study,  using  Miss  Keeler's  book,  "Our 
Native  Trees."  This  study  was  continued  during  the  spring 
out  of  doors.  In  a  letter  written  by  Mr.  Gifford  Pinchot,  Chief 
Forester  of  the  United  States,  to  Mrs.  Peterson,  he  says:  "I 
wish  I  could  convey  to  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  how  much 
I  appreciate  their  desire  to  hear  about  forestry  and  how  highly 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  281 

I  value  their  co-operation.  It  is  my  feeling  that  the  forest 
movement  throughout  the  country  is  receiving  one  of  its  most 
valuable  helps  through  the  agency  of  the  women's  clubs." 

The  resolution  presented  by  Mrs.  Peterson  and  endorsed 
by  the  club  in  regard  to  the  preservation  and  maintenance  of 
the  forest  reserves  in  the  Appalachian  and  White  Mountains 
was  passed  in  November,  1909,  and  coming  early  in  the  Club 
year,  gave  impetus  to  the  whole  question  of  protecting  the 
forests  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Shakespeare's  birthday  had  been  for  years  one  of  the 
brightest  days  in  the  Department's  calendar,  and  1907  was  no 
exception  to  the  rule.  The  program  was  given  by  our  own  mem- 
bers, and  Viola  Allen  was  the  guest  of  honor.  The  rooms  were 
bright  with  spring  flowers — and  joy  was  the  keynote  of  the 
festival.  A  carved  chair  made  from  one  of  the  pews  of 
Shakespeare's  church  at  Stratford-on-Avon  was  presented  by 
Mrs.  Samuel  Dauchy.  In  April,  1908,  Mrs.  Homer  Chandler 
reported  that  a  wreath  would  be  placed  at  the  foot  of  the 
Shakespeare  statue  in  Lincoln  Park  on  the  poet's  birthday,  and 
moved  that  this  floral  offering  be  made  annually.  This  motion 
was  carried.  April  23,  1909,  on  Shakespeare's  birthday,  inter- 
est in  the  celebration  at  Lincoln  Park  was  markedly  greater 
than  the  year  before,  when  the  custom  was  established.  In 
the  afternoon  hundreds  of  public  school  children  were  attracted 
to  the  statue  by  the  flowers.  The  children  of  the  public  schools 
in  the  neighborhood  were  invited  to  take  part  in  the  celebration. 
The  Shakespeare  statue  at  Belden  Avenue  in  Lincoln  Park  was 
decorated  in  the  morning.  The  ceremonies  were  in  charge  of 
members  of  the  Department. 

November  25,  1908,  the  report  of  the  Department  showed 
thirty-nine  programs  provided  for  the  year.  March  10,  1909,  the 
Department  reported  that  a  German  class  was  assured 
with  a  plan  of  two  meetings  a  month,  one  under  the 
charge  of  a  University  professor,  one  a  preparatory  class  under 
the  leadership  of  a  member  of  the  Department.  In  1908-1909 
the  Literary  Study  Class  was  under  the  leadership  of  Mrs. 
Arthur  R.  Elliott,  the  subject ;  "Middle  Days  in  England."  Mrs. 


282  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Katherine  K.  Robbins  was  in  charge  of  the  Art  Class,  which 
studied  the  history  of  Italian  and  Spanish  painting,  with  Pro- 
fessor George  B.  Zug  as  lecturer.  The  French  Study  Class  was 
conducted  by  Miss  Lea  R.  De  Lagneau;  the  subject  was  French 
fiction  in  the  last  half  of  the  Nineteenth  Century.  An  exhibit 
of  Arts  and  Crafts  was  held  December  1,  1909.  The  English 
Study  Class  was  begun  in  1909,  on  motion  of  Katherine  P. 
Girling,  under  the  leadership  of  Dr.  Edwin  Herbert  Lewis. 

December  22,  1909,  permission  was  granted  the  Art  and 
Literature  Department  to  give  a  course  of  lectures  on  German 
opera  during  March  in  the  Club  parlors.  Dr.  Charles  W.  Sei- 
denadel  was  the  lecturer.  The  Department  reported  April  27, 
1910:  We  have  seven  study  classes,  and  in  the  work  of  the 
Club,  we  have  been  represented  in  22  committees  and  in  5 
auxiliary  societies.  We  have  held  86  meetings,  besides  7  devoted 
to  business,  without  counting  the  many  committee  meetings.  In 
the  Literary  Study  Class,  13  programs  were  given  on  "18th 
Century,  Early  and  Late,"  under  Miss  Abeel's  leadership. 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department  reported  April  27, 
1910,  the  formation  of  a  class  in  Italian,  with  Mrs.  Fenton 
Turck  as  leader.  On  the  same  date,  the  Chairman  reported: 

"Shakespeare  Day  was  a  tribute,  an  old  accustomed  feast, 
to  which  we  invited  many  a  guest.  We  bade  the  club  rejoice 
with  us  in  celebrating  the  day  reverently,  and  bringing  our  best 
endeavor  to  observe  it  fittingly.  Mrs.  Peattie's  inspired  poem 
wove  the  scenes,  the  songs,  the  dances  into  a  Shakespearean 
fantasy;  the  members  made  the  birthday  party  in  our  club 
rooms  a  scene  of  beauty  and  good  cheer.  Miss  Hinman  and 
the  children  who  danced,  furnished  the  note  of  joy.  Mrs.  Krum 
and  her  friends,  who  have  the  gift  of  song,  interpreted  the 
lyrics  in  delightful  fashion;  to  quote  from  the  last  song  on  the 
program:  'Under  the  Greenwood  Tree/  we  had  'naught  to 
fear,  but  winter  and  rough  weather,'  and  even  that  did  not 
lessen  our  joy." 

A  Drama  Committee  was  created  January  26,  1910,  in  the 
Art  and  Literature  Department. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  283 

Each  Department  of  the  Club  had  study  classes  of  great 
interest,  to  which  all  Club  members  were  invited.  November 
23,  1910,  the  Drama  League  of  America,  which  was  started 
in  Evanston,  desired  the  endorsement  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club,  and  it  was  voted  that  the  Club  endorse  this  movement. 

The  Sunday  Open  Door  gave  twelve  programs  commencing 
January  9,  1910,  continuing  each  Sunday.  At  the  close  of  the 
last  program,  one  of  the  audience  rose  and  requested  the  privi- 
lege of  voicing  the  appreciation  of  the  guests  of  the  Open 
Door,  thanking  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  for  its  excellent 
entertainments  and  generous  hospitality.  She  requested  that  this 
be  expressed  by  a  rising  vote,  which  was  acceded  to  with  much 
enthusiasm.  Of  the  many  tributes  of  appreciation  but  one  will 
be  recorded.  A  group  of  young  women  came  to  the  Chairman, 
and  their  spokesman  said,  "If  the  ladies  of  your  splendid  Club 
but  half  realized  what  they  are  doing  for  us,  they  would  neither 
question  nor  regret  their  work."  Mrs.  Frackelton  has  been 
Chairman  of  this  Committee  since  1909. 

Receptions  were  given  by  the  Club  during  1906-10  to  the  Chi- 
cago Section  of  the  Council  of  Jewish  Women,  to  the  delegates  of 
the  National  American  Woman's  Suffrage  Association ;  a  joint  re- 
ception of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  and  Collegiate  Alumnae 
Association  was  given  Saturday  afternoon,  April  20,  in  honor  of 
undergraduates  of  the  city,  about  300  young  girls  attending;  to 
the  Eleanor  Cubs;  the  courtesy  of  the  Club  was  extended  to 
women  attending  the  annual  convention  of  National  School 
Superintendents'  Association;  and  to  the  women  in  attendance 
upon  the  meetings  of  the  American  Association  for  the  Advance- 
ment of  Science.  October  2,  1907,  a  reception  was  given  in 
honor  of  the  President,  Mrs.  Blackwelder,  all  officers  of 
the  Club  receiving  with  her.  The  reception  was  preceded  by 
a  musicale.  November  20,  1909,  a  reception  was  given  Mrs. 
Snowden  immediately  following  her  lecture.  Miss  Ethel  Mor- 
ris was  the  guest  of  the  Club  at  the  meeting  of  November  17, 
when  there  was  a  reception  in  her  honor,  and  one  was  given 
to  Mrs.  Ella  Flagg  Young  on  November  10,  1909.  During 


284  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  summer  of  1909,  a  luncheon  was  given  to  the  delegates 
from  the  International  Council  of  Women.  March  2,  1910, 
the  artists  of  the  city  were  tendered  a  reception.  The  members 
and  guests  were  received  by  Mrs.  Upton,  Mrs.  Elliott,  Miss 
Johnson  and  Mrs.  Pauline  Palmer. 

The  President,  Mrs.  George  B.  Carpenter,  in  her  report, 
April,  1906,  stated:  "This  organization  wants  the  vital,  execu- 
tive, enthusiastic  woman;  the  woman  with  the  spirit  of  youth, 
which  is  a  quality  of  character  without  respect  to  years,  and 
which  maintains  freshness  and  joy  in  work,  and  consequent  re- 
sults in  visions  fulfilled.  One  of  the  growing  convictions  of 
Club  organization — its  efficacy  and  power  in  the  community — 
has  during  the  past  year  been  accentuated  by  repeated  appeals 
from  civic  and  state  authorities  for  endorsement  of  various 
measures,  as  notably  the  'Outer  Belt  Park,'  'High  License/  the 
'Appropriation  for  investigation  of  industrial  conditions  sur- 
rounding women  and  children,'  and  others.  Your  President 
has  many  letters  from  senators  and  civic  appointees  commending 
the  action  taken  in  these  and  other  important  movements.  Time 
was  when  silence  was  womanly,  now  it  is  neuter!" 

Gertrude  E.  Blackwelder  stated  in  her  annual  report  as 
President,  April,  1907:  "Never  since  the  memorable  year  fol- 
lowing the  World's  Fair  have  we  inaugurated  and  carried  for- 
ward so  much  practical  work.  The  inception  of  new  and  help- 
ful activities  has  aroused  fresh  interest  and  enthusiasm.  Pos- 
sibly we  shall  be  doing  only  surface  good,  as  was  suggested  at 
the  last  Biennial  by  the  chairman  of  the  industrial  committee, 
but  the  causes  of  industrial  wrongs  and  discontent  are  too  deep 
for  us  to  reach  at  once,  even  if  we  knew  how  to  deal  with  them ; 
and  certainly  the  maternal  interest  in  the  working  girl,  depre- 
cated by  the  same  speaker,  is  better  than  no  interest  at  all.  It 
may  be  the  duty  of  modern  philanthropists  to  abolish  charity, 
but  the  wheels  turn  slowly,  and  meanwhile  the  young  girls  of  our 
down-town  district  need  help  and  guidance.  In  a  more  general 
way  this  action  was  suggested  three  years  ago  by  the  confer- 
ence on  women  in  industry,  held  in  these  rooms — an  occasion 
the  significance  of  which  we  are  just  beginning  to  realize. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  285 

At  the  Annual  Meeting  in  1909,  Mrs.  Upton  stated :  "One 
cause  for  rejoicing  this  year  is  that  after  ten  years  of  faithful 
service,  during  which  time  more  than  $10,000  was  contributed 
by  this  Club,  the  vacation  schools  have  been  provided  for  by 
the  Chicago  Board  of  Education,  and  an  appropriation  of 
$30,000  made  for  their  maintenance.  A  new  organization  with 
a  broader  field  of  work,  called  the  Chicago  Permanent  School 
Extension  Committee,  will  be  glad  to  receive  contributions  from 
the  former  friends  of  the  vacation  schools.  Because 
we  are  essentially  a  great  civic  Club,  there  are  constantly  new 
lines  of  work  opened  up  to  us,  and  our  influence  and  co-opera- 
tion sought;  a  close  analysis  of  our  Reform  and  Philanthropy 
Departments  shows  the  work  to  be  preventive,  rather  than  cor- 
rective. 

The  Industrial  School  for  Girls,  which  is  virtually  our 
ward,  should  be  given  our  free  and  untiring  support,  that  it 
may  be  put  on  as  firm  a  foundation  as  our  Juvenile  Court." 


286  ANNALS  OF  THE 

CHAPTER  IX. 
1910—1914. 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  1910  the  Club  membership  was 
limited  to  1,200;  owing  to  the  growth  of  the  Club,  the  rental  and 
general  expenses  steadily  increased,  making  necessary  the  gradual 
raising  of  the  annual  membership  dues  from  $5  in  1876  to  $20 
in  1912,  and  the  initiation  fee  from  $5  to  $35.  Life  member- 
ship fee  was  increased  to  $300.00  in  1907.  The  Club  member- 
ship is  full,  and  there  is  a  long  waiting  list. 

On  October  12, 1910,  Ella  Flagg  Young  spoke  on  "The  Actual 
and  the  Possible  in  Our  Public  School  System."  The  subject  was 
discussed  by  Miss  Jane  Addams,  Professor  Charles  H.  Judd, 
Professor  James  H.  Tufts  and  others. 

October  19,  1910,  Charles  Hutchinson  read  an  address  on 
"Art  Expression  in  Chicago:  The  Actual  and  the  Possible." 
Henry  Hubbell,  Ralph  Clarkson,  Joseph  Pennell,  W.  M.  R. 
French,  N.  H.  Carpenter,  James  Patterson  and  Bertha  E.  Jaques 
discussed  the  subject.  Later  an  informal  reception  was  held  in 
honor  of  the  guests. 

October  26,  1910,  the  President  reported  the  death  of  Julia 
Ward  Howe,  an  honorary  member  of  the  Club.  A  committee  of 
three  was  appointed  to  prepare  a  memorial  and  resolutions  of 
sympathy. 

November  9,  1910,  a  number  of  those  interested  in  the  gar- 
ment worker's  strike  asked  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  to  dis- 
cuss the  matter.  A  special  meeting  was  ordered  for  this  purpose. 
Two  weeks  later  Mrs.  Solomon  and  Professor  Mead  addressed 
the  Board.  Professor  Mead  spoke  of  the  situation  from  the 
view  point  of  the  strikers  and  Mrs.  Solomon  from  that  of  the 
manufacturers.  The  President  was  requested  to  write  to  the  man- 
ufacturers asking  that  a  representative  be  sent  to  the  conference, 
to  be  held  December  1,  1910. 

December  14,  1910,  the  members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  commended  the  use  of  the  Red  Cross  Christmas  seals  on 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  287 

all  packages  and  mail,  and  recommended  their  purchase  in  large 
quantities  by  members  of  the  Club,  and  promised  support  to  fur- 
ther the  sale  and  use  of  the  seals. 

December  21,  1910,  was  the  first  "Grand  Opera  Day"  of  the 
Club.  The  management  of  the  Grand  Opera  Association  has 
been  most  generous  in  bringing  fine  programs  to  us,  emphasizing 
the  relation  of  grand  opera  to  the  development  of  our  city  in  its 
appreciation  of  all  the  arts.  A  Grand  Opera  Day  was  first  sug- 
gested by  Mrs.  Howard  Kretschmar,  who  arranged  the  program, 
of  which  she  was  in  charge.  The  general  subject  was:  Grand 
Opera  in  Chicago.  The  speakers  were  Mrs.  Harold  McCor- 
mick,  Mme.  Johanna  Gadski,  Andreas  Dippel,  Charles  Dawes, 
J.  C.  Shaffer  and  Glenn  Dillard  Gunn.  Mme.  Marguerite  Sylva 
sang.  The  program  was  followed  by  a  reception  in  honor  of 
the  artists  and  officers  of  the  Grand  Opera  organization.  The 
second  Grand  Opera  Day  was  given  December  7,  1911.  An- 
dreas Dippel,  John  C.  Shaffer,  Maggie  Teyte  and  Karleton  Hack- 
ett  gave  addresses.  Carolina  White  and  Mario  Sammarco  sang, 
and  Leopold  Kramer  gave  a  violin  solo.  Marcel  Charlier  was 
the  accompanist.  The  following  year,  December  3,  1912,  Helen 
Stanley,  Ruby  Heyl,  Edmond  Warnery  and  Icilio  Calleja  sang. 
We  have  traveled  far  in  our  appreciation  of  music  since  the 
day  when  the  Chairman  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department 
asked  whether  she  would  be  permitted  to  substitute  an  afternoon 
of  music  for  the  regular  literary  program.  Individually,  many 
members  always  cultivated  the  art  of  music,  and  collectively,  the 
Club  has  gradually  developed  into  a  sympathetic  audience  and 
learned  the  value  of  music  as  an  indispensable  element  in  the 
cultural  life  of  our  city. 

On  May  4,  1910,  a  communication  was  read  from  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  asking  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  to  investi- 
gate the  milk  question  and  draft  resolutions  thereon.  The  Home 
Department  reported  the  formation  of  a  class  in  decorating  home 
grounds.  The  Board  of  Managers  approved  the  Anti-Child  La- 
bor committee  and  the  Weekly  Half  Holiday  committee.  The  or- 
der of  business  was  suspended  that  the  Board  might  meet  Miss 
Clara  Barton. 


288  ANNALS  OF  THE 

In  October,  1910,  the  Infant  Welfare  Committee  reported 
that  the  work  had  been  carried  on  successfully,  in  spite  of  the  ex- 
treme heat  of  that  summer,  ice  boxes  being  furnished  by  the  com- 
mittee, as  part  of  the  work. 

This  resolution  was  adopted,  December  14,  1910:  Whereas: 
The  great  railways  entering  the  City  of  Chicago  at  our  present 
Union  Station  contemplate  building  a  new  union  station  upon 
the  most  approved  and  costly  plan,  Be  It  Resolved:  That  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club  request  the  co-operation  of  the  Associa- 
tion of  Commerce,  the  City  Club,  the  Woman's  City  Club,  and  the 
clubs  of  the  West  Side  of  Chicago,  in  creating  a  demand  for  the 
electrification  of  the  terminals  entering  this  new  station. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Board,  March  22,  1911,  it  was  re- 
solved that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  pledge  its  active  moral 
support  and  authorize  the  President  to  appoint  members  from 
the  Club  to  be  elected  to  fill  vacancies  upon  the  board  of  trustees 
of  the  Mary  Thompson  Hospital,  provided  such  members  from 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  be  a  majority  of  the  board  of  trus- 
tees of  the  Mary  Thompson  Hospital.  The  committee  in  charge 
of  the  benefit  for  the  Mary  Thompson  Hospital  was  given  the 
use  of  the  club  rooms.  April  22,  1913,  Nellie  J.  O'Connor,  in 
her  report  as  President,  said : 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1911  a  group  of  doctors  appealed  to  us, 
urging  some  help  for  the  hospital  in  which  they  were  so  vitally 
interested.  There  were  rumors  at  the  time  that  the  hospital  might 
be  closed  as  a  woman's  hospital,  owing  to  an  annual  deficit  in  the 
running  expenses.  These  women  doctors  were  willing,  provided 
the  trustees  would  allow  them  to  do  so,  to  shoulder  the  entire 
running  expenses  for  a  year,  with  the  help  of  the  trust  fund,  to 
cover  to  some  extent  the  cost  of  the  charity  patients.  The  trus- 
tees had  expressed  their  willingness  to  put  the  hospital  in  the 
hands  of  the  women  physicians,  if  the  Woman's  Club  would  give 
them  their  moral  support.  This  our  club  decided  to  do,  provided 
two-thirds  of  the  trustees  should  be  members  of  our  club. 

A  letter  from  Governor  Deneen  in  reply  to  one  asking  that  a 
woman  be  appointed  superintendent  of  the  Geneva  Home  for 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  289 

Girls  was  received  September  27,  1911.  He  stated  that  he  had 
referred  the  matter  to  the  committee  in  charge;  a  woman  was 
appointed  soon  afterwards. 

September  27,  1911,  a  committee  was  empowered  to  appear 
before  the  Mayor  to  urge  the  necessity  of  retaining  the  office  of 
city  forester,  and  a  letter  was  sent  to  the  Council  asking  that  more 
money  be  voted  for  the  office. 

December  13,  1911,  Mrs.  Wilmarth  stated  that  the  chapter 
called  "Mothers  of  the  World,"  in  'The  Women  of  Tomorrow," 
would  be  a  strong  argument  in  favor  of  equal  suffrage  and  asked 
that,  as  she  had  the  permission  of  Mr.  Hard  and  his  publishers,  a 
reprint  be  made  for  general  distribution. 

A  service  was  held  on  December  20,  1911,  in  memory  of  our 
former  President,  Mary  Lewis  Matz. 

The  program  for  January  10,  1912,  was  a  Federation  Day,  in 
charge  of  Mrs.  Philip  N.  Moore,  President  of  the  General  Fed- 
eration of  Women's  Clubs.  January  17,  1912,  the  Hull  House 
Players  presented  two  short  plays:  "Riders  to  The  Sea,"  by  J. 
M.  Synge,  and  the  "Workhouse  Ward,"  by  Lady  Gregory.  Feb- 
ruary 14,  Miss  Ethel  M.  Arnold  of  England  addressed  the  Club 
on  "Citizenship  of  Women." 

The  Club  held  three  formal  receptions  during  1911-1912:  to 
the  President,  Mrs.  O'Connor,  to  Alfred  Tennyson  Dickens 
and  to  Fannie  Bloomfield  Zeisler.  On  Fabruary  10  and  24,  the 
Club  listened  to  readings  by  Lady  Gregory  from  her  unpublished 
plays.  The  attendance  on  February  24  was  the  second  largest 
meeting  of  the  year,  750  members  and  guests  being  present.  The 
Club  entertained  the  children  of  its  members  on  December  27, 
1911,  with  a  delightful  festival  of  music,  folk  dancing  and  stories. 

November  22,  1911,  the  Peace  Committee  presented  the  fol- 
lowing resolution: 

Resolved,  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  hereby  expresses 
its  earnest  hope  that  the  international  arbitration  treaties  which 
have  been  signed  between  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  and 
France  and  the  United  States,  may  be  ratified  without  delay  fcy 
the  United  States  Senate  on  its  re-assembling  in  December: 


290  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Resolved,  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  hereby  re- 
spectfully petitions  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  to  ratify  said 
treaties,  and  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  the  chair- 
man of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Foreign  Affairs. 

February  13,  1912,  Mari  R.  Hofer  came  before  the  Board 
in  the  interest  of  Baroness  Bertha  von  Suttner  of  Vienna.  The 
Board  recommended  that  the  program  committee  of  next  year 
consider  arranging  an  address  by  the  Baroness  von  Suttner  and 
it  was  voted  to  recommend  that  the  Illinois  State  Federation  and 
the  General  Federation  endorse  a  movement  to  bring  the  Baroness 
before  the  women's  clubs  of  this  country.  On  Saturday,  April 
6,  the  Peace  Committee  with  representatives  of  the  Chicago  Peace 
Society  and  other  representative  organizations  formed  themselves 
into  a  joint  committee  to  prepare  for  the  visit  of  Baroness  von 
Suttner.  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  was  first  in  trying  to  bring 
about  her  visit  to  our  country. 

A  committee  of  five  was  appointed  April  9,  1912,  to  be  called 
the  Playgrounds  Committee  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  with 
Mrs.  John  C.  Bley  as  Chairman. 

The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  of  New  York  asked  for  the  privi- 
lege of  buying  a  gavel  which  had  been  used  in  the  Chicago  Wom- 
an's Club.  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  of  New  York  was  pre- 
sented with  a  gavel  by  our  Club. 

The  Program  Committee  reported  that  its  plan  for  1910-1911 
was  to  bring  before  the  Gub  as  nearly  as  possible  the  people  rep- 
resenting Chicago  institutions,  to  have  them  tell  what  they 
are  doing  and  hope  to  do,  to  the  end  that  we  as  a  Club  may 
better  understand  and  appreciate  that  which  lies  at  our  door.  The 
subject  of  the  year  1911-1912  was:  "The  Gain  of  the  Twenti- 
eth Century." 

The  Pure  Food  Committee  of  the  Home  Department  reported 
April  24,  1912,  that  it  had  worked  last  year  to  secure  the  pas- 
sage of  a  sanitary  food  bill  which  had  since  become  a  law.  This 
year  the  same  committee  had  worked  out  a  plan  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  local  food  and  market  clubs,  by  means  of  which  the 
women  of  the  neighborhood  can  have  supervision  of  all  places 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  291 

where  food  is  prepared  and  sold.  The  practical  plan  proposed 
to  accomplish  this  was,  to  form  local  food  and  market  clubs 
through  which  the  housekeepers  can  co-operate  with  state  and 
city  officials  in  enforcing  the  laws  relating  to  pure  food,  to  sanita- 
tion, to  weights  and  to  sidewalk  obstructions.  The  first  of  these 
clubs  to  be  organized  was  the  51st  Street  Food  and  Market  Qub. 
Several  others  had  since  been  organized  along  the  same  lines. 

In  June,  1912,  a  special  meeting  was  called  by  Mrs.  J.  C. 
Bley  of  members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  eight  other 
organizations,  and  the  51st  Street  Food  and  Market  Club,  to  in- 
terest housewives  in  improving  market  conditions.  September 
16,  a  reception  was  given  to  Mrs.  Julian  Heath,  New  York  City, 
President  National  Housewives'  League.  Miss  Snow  said  the  first 
duty  of  the  housewife  is  wise  use  of  money  at  her  command.  De- 
cember 14,  1912,  an  egg  sale  was  planned,  and  February  10,  1913, 
an  apple  sale.  In  1913  the  Home  Department  reported  that  its 
gift  of  $25.00  to  the  Food  and  Markets  Committee  of  the  Depart- 
ment enabled  the  Committee  to  start  Clean  Food  organizations 
and  promote  the  work  which  is  helping  to  make  for  better  sani- 
tary conditions  in  food  distribution  in  many  parts  of  our  city.  As 
a  result  of  the  study,  they  hoped  to  assist  in  legislation  that  would 
result  in  a  textile  law,  such  as  was  proposed  in  the  Murdock  bill, 
which  would  require  honest  labelling  of  all  textiles,  so  that  the 
consumer  might  know  what  he  was  purchasing.  Already  steps 
had  been  taken  to  that  end,  since  our  Club  indorsed  the  Mur- 
dock bill. 

The  Education  Department  reported  April  27,  1912,  that  the 
Department  as  a  whole  took  the  keenest  interest  in  the  special  in- 
quiry concerning  the  occupations  open  to  girls  between  the  ages 
of  14  and  16,  with  a  view  to  determining  which  are  safest,  healthi- 
est and  most  promising  in  the  way  of  training  for  future  positions 
of  skill  and  responsibility.  The  establishment  of  the  Lucy  L. 
Flower  Technical  High  School  for  Girls  came  as  a  timely  adjunct 
to  their  efforts  and  they  had  the  great  satisfaction  of  knowing  that 
many  girls  each  month  were  being  advised  and  helped,  either  to 
finish  an  incomplete  school  course  with  special  emphasis  on  vo- 
cation, or  led  into  positions  where  they  are  reasonably  safe  moral- 


292  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ly,  and  where  a  decent  wage  is  paid.  It  was  the  most  important 
thing  attempted  by  the  Department  since  the  establishment  of  Va- 
cation Schools.  The  investigation  of  vocational  training  for  girls 
was  being  carried  on  by  the  Department  and  had  grown  into  a 
bureau  of  employment  for  girls  which  had  extended  its  service 
this  year  to  aid  boys. 

April  22,  1913,  the  Department  reported:  In  co-opera- 
tion with  the  local  teachers'  organizations,  we  were  able  to  ar- 
range and  carry  out  a  program  of  hospitality  for  the  National 
Educational  Association  which  added  much  to  the  enjoyment 
and  success  of  the  convention,  as  far  as  the  women  were 
concerned.  The  Department  was  hostess  at  a  luncheon  on  July 
8  to  which  were  invited  the  principal  officers  and  guests  of  honor. 
From  letters  received  later,  as  well  as  from  assurances  at  the  time, 
this  attention  to  our  visitors  was  evidently  much  appreciated.  A 
trip  to  Vacation  Schools  and  Open  Air  Schools  was  arranged  by 
Mrs.  Doty,  and  about  200  teachers  availed  themselves  of  the  op- 
portunity to  see  the  summer  work  in  our  crowded  districts.  More 
than  one  enthusiastic  visitor  insisted  that  she  gained  more  new 
and  valuable  ideas  on  teaching  on  these  trips  than  in  all  the 
meetings  of  the  convention.  Not  the  least  of  the  conveniences  af- 
forded by  the  Club  were  the  facilities  for  refreshing  the  inner 
man  or  woman,  resulting  in  the  attendance  at  luncheons  of  800, 
at  afternoon  teas  of  790  and  at  suppers  of  405.  No  one  who  has 
ever  attended  a  great  convention  in  mid-summer  will  fail  to  realize 
the  blessings  of  rest  and  recreation  afforded  by  our  hospitality. 
The  program  of  the  Education  Department  for  the  season  of  1913- 
14  was  planned  with  a  two-fold  purpose,  first,  for  the  study  of 
work  done  in  the  educational  world;  and  second,  for  co-opera- 
tion in  the  introduction  and  support  of  progressive  movements  in 
education. 

The  Committee  on  Home  Teaching  of  Adult  Blind  of  the 
Philanthropy  Department  reported  that  the  bill  asking  the  State 
to  take  up  this  work  was  presented  to  the  47th  General  Assembly 
at  Springfield  and  was  passed  without  a  dissenting  vote,  the  state 
assuming  the  work  in  October,  1911,  with  one  teacher  as  super- 
intendent and  three  assistants.  The  Committee  had  charge  of  a 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  293 

sales  department  of  the  articles  produced  at  Rothschild's.  The 
firm  furnished  a  clerk  and  space  free  of  charge;  no  commission 
was  charged  for  handling  goods.  The  work  spread  from  23  con- 
tributors in  the  summer  to  218.  The  Department  sent  the  follow- 
ing statement  to  all  Chicago  newspapers :  "Senate  Bill  222,  which 
asks  for  an  appropriation  of  $50,000.00  for  the  purpose  of  build- 
ing a  colony  for  blind  married  people  is  a  great  mistake  in  the 
eyes  of  educated  blind  persons  as  well  as  all  educators  for  the 
blind.  It  is  sad  enough  to  be  thus  afflicted,  without  huddling  the 
blind  together  in  a  colony.  This  will  pauperize  them  and  have  a 
tendency  to  populate  Illinois  with  blind  people  from  other  states ; 
knowing  they  will  be  taken  care  of  here,  they  will  flock  to  us  for 
support.  This  is  the  very  thing  our  committee  has  been  working 
against  for  the  past  eight  years."  In  spite  of  this  appeal  to  the 
public  through  the  press,  this  most  undesirable  bill  passed  the 
House  and  the  Senate  with  an  appropriation  of  $25,000.00  and 
went  to  the  Governor  for  his  signature.  It  was  there  that  the 
Chairman  of  our  Committee  was  instrumental  in  defeating  it, 
much  to  the  surprise  and  gratification  of  her  colleagues. 

April  14,  1910,  Mrs.  Sherwood  stated  that  Mr.  N.  H.  Carpen- 
ter of  the  Art  Institute  had  told  her,  if  competent  women  would 
mother  the  enterprise,  Fullerton  Hall  would  be  placed  at  their  dis- 
posal for  Sunday  afternoon  concerts,  free  of  charge.  Six  Thomas 
Orchestra  musicians  would  furnish  the  music  and  the  music-lov- 
ing men  and  women  could  be  asked  the  price  of  ten  cents  admis- 
sion. The  Philanthropy  Department  voted  to  undertake  this 
work. 

April  26,  1911,  the  Chairman  of  the  Philanthropy  Department 
reported  the  concerts  were  a  delight  to  all  who  worked  for  them, 
and  a  joy  to  the  audiences.  There  were  so  many  expressions  of 
appreciation  each  Sunday  that  the  Committee  felt  well  repaid 
for  the  thought  and  time  given  to  the  work.  The  management  of 
the  Art  Institute,  the  audience,  the  committee,  the  ushers,  all 
worked  in  harmony  and  with  splendid  results,  viz. :  the  entertain- 
ment and  instruction  of  over  20,000  people,  without  the  necessity 
of  calling  on  the  Department  or  individuals  for  financial  assist- 
ance. Not  only  were  the  concerts  self  supporting,  but  there  was 


294  ANNALS  OF  THE 

a  small  surplus  for  a  rainy  day  next  year,  for  by  a  unanimous 
vote  the  Department  decided  to  continue  these  concerts,  beginning 
in  October  and  continuing  until  April.  Farther  than  this,  happy 
in  this  successful  experiment,  the  members  formed  themselves 
into  a  committee  of  the  whole  to  work  for  summer  concerts  on  the 
lake  front.  In  this,  too,  they  succeeded  in  arousing  interest,  and 
although  too  large  a  project  for  the  Department  alone,  much  was 
done  to  bring  it  before  the  public  and  eventually  make  this  hope  a 
reality.  Already  two  Sunday  centers  were  established,  one  on  the 
South  and  one  on  the  West  side  of  the  city,  inspired  by  the  Ful- 
lerton  Hall  concerts. 

In  October,  1911,  the  Department  members  were  asked  to 
distribute  leaflets  and  make  an  effort  to  interest  those  for  whom 
the  concerts  were  intended.  January  17,  1912,  attendance  at 
Sunday  concerts  were  reported  good.  April,  1912,  it  was  re- 
ported that  25,000  people  had  attended  the  concerts  during 
the  season.  All  expenses  had  been  met  and  a  balance  re- 
mained in  the  treasury  of  nearly  $200.  Twenty-eight  or  twen- 
ty-nine concerts  were  scheduled  for  the  season  of  1912-1913 ;  they 
were  well  attended,  at  some  of  them  large  crowds  had  been  turned 
away,  and  again  in  1914  it  was  reported :  "Sunday  evening  con- 
certs were  started  last  November  with  opera  programs.  These 
proved  very  instructive  as  well  as  enjoyable.  The  operas  were  ex- 
plained, and  the  principal  parts  sung  by  one  of  our  singers  with 
orchestral  accompaniment.  It  is  needless  to  say  they  have  proved 
as  great  a  success  as  the  afternoon  concerts  and  will  be  carried 
on  through  April.  Our  surplus  fund  is  turned  over  to  the  Art 
Institute  and  is  held  as  a  sinking  fund  for  next  season." 

October  8,  1910,  Mrs.  Sherwood  outlined  the  plan  for  a  cot- 
tage in  Colorado,  the  idea  being  to  issue  blocks  of  stock  at  $10.00, 
these  to  be  taken  by  various  working  girls'  clubs.  The  plan  was 
endorsed  by  the  Department.  Mrs.  Sherwood  reported  in  Octo- 
ber, 1911,  that  Blue  Bird  Cottage  had  benefited  50  girls  during 
the  summer. 

In  April,  1912,  the  Philanthropy  Department  reported  that 
$100  of  the  surplus  from  the  Art  Institute  concerts  was  given 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  295 

to  the  Colorado  cottage  in  the  name  of  the  two  young  women  who 
had  served  the  Committee  so  faithfully  each  Sunday.  In  May  it 
was  reported  that  $2,040.00  had  been  raised  for  this  Home.  In 
May,  1912,  Mrs.  Harbert  of  Evanston  offered  the  Phil- 
anthropy Department  the  use  of  a  tract  of  land  with  a  summer 
home  in  Michigan,  for  the  use  of  working  girls  as  an  outing  place. 
The  offer  was  accepted  and  during  the  summer  afforded  vacations 
to  a  number  of  Chicago  working  women.  The  Blue  Bird  Cot- 
tage in  Colorado  had  proved  self-supporting. 

April  22,  1913,  the  Chairman  reported:  Last  spring  there 
was  offered  to  the  Philanthropy  Department  for  the  summer,  a 
beautiful  cottage,  crowning  one  of  the  high  sand  dunes  on  the 
Michigan  shore.  Two  hundred  acres  of  wooded  land  surround  this 
cottage,  and  its  views  and  air  are  unsurpassed  in  this  part  of  the 
country.  The  house  was  offered  for  the  benefit  of  Chicago  work- 
ing women — to  give  opportunity  to  some  of  them  for  a  pleasant 
vacation  at  a  moderate  cost.  The  Philanthropy  Department  ac- 
cepted the  responsibility  of  managing  the  enterprise,  and  the 
house  was  open  from  June  15  until  Labor  Day.  Seventy-five  girls 
and  women  enjoyed  a  holiday  at  Avalon  Cottage.  We  recognize 
the  great  need  for  more  holiday  houses,  and  it  is  our  desire  and 
our  hope  to  establish  another  one  near  Chicago,  this  coming  sum- 
mer. We  have  on  hand  about  $175  worth  of  house  furnishings, 
besides  $125  in  cash,  as  a  start  toward  a  fresh  venture. 

In  1914  it  was  reported  that  through  the  vacation  committee, 
130  girls  were  cared  for  at  the  Blue  Bird  Cottage  in  Colorado  dur- 
ing the  season,  41  being  cared  for  at  one  time  in  the  cottage.  Tents 
were  purchased  and  the  overflow  cared  for  in  these.  The  cot- 
tage is  nearly  paid  for  and  after  this  coming  season  will  be  free 
from  debt.  Seven  lots  have  been  purchased  and  an  addition  will 
be  built  in  the  near  future.  Methods  used  in  the  East  for  pro- 
viding working  girls  with  vacations  have  been  studied  and  a  va- 
cation fund  has  been  started  here. 

The  principal  work  of  the  Department  was  to  help  young 
girls,  and  to  this  end  conferences  had  been  held  with  others  inter- 
ested in  this  work,  the  opinion  of  all  seemed  to  be  against  tak- 


296  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ing  up  the  proposed  plan  of  a  dance  hall,  but  instead  to  examine 
those  dance  halls  already  established  and  to  make  a  "white  list" 
of  all  good  ones,  so  that,  if  the  girls  must  dance,  as  it  seems  they 
must,  at  least  they  will  know  the  best  places  to  go  to. 

During  1911  the  Reform  Department  sent  representatives  to 
many  organizations  with  which  it  was  affiliated,  and  April  24, 
1912,  reported  the  beginning  of  two  new  movements,  the  minimum 
wage  committee  and  a  girls'  ward  at  the  Mary  Thompson  Hos- 
pital. A  joint  meeting  of  the  Reform,  Philanthropy,  Education 
and  Home  Departments  was  held  Jan.  3,  1912,  at  10 :30  a.  m.  The 
day  was  in  charge  of  the  Reform  Department,  and  the  topic,  "So- 
ciety's Responsibility  to  Women  in  Industry",  was  in  charge  of 
Gertrude  Barnum.  Miss  Barnum  called  upon  Mrs.  Medill 
McCormick,  who  gave  a  report  on  the  Minimum  Wage  Commis- 
sion for  Women  and  Girls  in  Massachusetts.  After  Mrs.  McCor- 
mick's  report,  a  motion  was  carried  to  appoint  a  committee  which 
should  comprise  the  President  of  the  Club,  the  chairmen  of  the 
six  departments,  and  the  chairman  of  the  Legislative  Committee 
to  start  a  movement  toward  fixing  a  minimum  wage  for  women  in 
Illinois.  As  a  result  of  the  work  of  this  committee  a  conference 
was  called  on  January  29,  1912,  at  8  p.  m.,  in  Music  Hall,  and 
January  30,  at  10  a.  m.,  in  Assembly  Room,  Fine  Arts  Building. 
This  resolution  was  presented: 

Resolved,  That  this  conference  on  a  minimum  wage  scale 
for  women  and  girls  endorse  the  Massachusetts  plan  for  a  mini- 
mum wage  commission,  to  investigate  the  conditions  of  industrial 
work  for  women  and  girls,  and  to  report  as  to  the  need  and  feasi- 
bility of  fixing  a  minimum  wage  for  women  and  minors  by  means 
of  wage  boards. 

Resolved,  That  this  conference  recommend  to  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  and  other  organizations  in  the  city  and  state,  action 
upon  this  subject.  The  conference  was  an  event  of  great  moment 
in  the  Club  year.  It  brought  as  speakers :  Father  John  A.  Ryan, 
of  Minnesota ;  Mr.  Elliott  S.  Norton,  of  Chicago ;  Mrs.  Glendower 
Evans,  of  Boston ;  Prof.  John  R.  Commons,  of  the  University  of 
Wisconsin;  Prof.  Ernst  Freund,  of  the  University  of  Chicago; 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  297 

Miss  Jane  Addams,  Mrs.  Raymond  Robins,  Prof.  Graham  Tay- 
lor and  Dr.  Rowena  Morse.  The  outcome  of  the  meeting,  besides 
the  resolution,  was  to  investigate  the  conditions  of  industrial  work 
for  women  and  girls  and  report  as  to  the  need  and  feasibility  of 
fixing  a  minimum  wage  for  women  and  minors  in  Illinois  by  means 
of  wage  boards. 

The  Ordinance  Committee  of  the  Reform  Department, 
Rose  G.  Landauer,  chairman,  put  into  book  form  the  "Ordi- 
nances You  Ought  to  Know",  which  it  caused  to  appear 
in  the  daily  papers  during  the  year  1911-1912.  The  pamph- 
let bears  the  name  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  Seven- 
teen thousand  copies  of  it  were  printed.  The  demand  for  the 
pamphlet  was  most  gratifying.  Ella  Flagg  Young,  Super- 
intendent of  Schools  of  Chicago,  asked  to  have  14,000  copies  for 
distribution  in  the  schools,  and  the  committee  received  requests 
from  principals,  teachers  in  the  grammar  and  high  schools,  the 
University  Elementary  and  the  Francis  Parker  Schools,  and  the 
Public  Library ;  also  from  the  Northwestern  Settlement,  Juvenile 
Protective  Association,  Maxwell  Street  Settlement,  Henry  Booth 
House,  University  Settlement,  seven  small  parks,  Hebrew  Insti- 
tute and  League  of  Cook  County  Clubs.  Mrs.  Young  requested 
an  additional  15,000  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  school.  Through 
the  generosity  of  a  public-spirited  citizen,  a  second  edition  of 
15,000  copies  was  printed.  The  Committee  reported  it  had  con- 
tinued to  spread  knowledge  of  the  ordinances  among  the  people 
and  by  the  generous  support  of  the  daily  papers,  especially  those 
printed  in  the  foreign  languages,  had  been  able  to  reach  many  to 
whom  our  laws  and  ordinances  were  formerly  unknown.  There  is 
a  constant  demand  for  the  little  pamphlet,  also  many  requests  for 
information  regarding  the  manner  of  organization  and  procedure 
of  the  committee.  The  committee's  most  important  work  was  the 
support  given  Major  Funkhouser  in  his  efforts  to  check  the  wave 
of  commercialized  reform  that  followed  in  the  wake  of  disclos- 
ures of  commercialized  vice.  Members  assisted  in  censoring  some 
of  the  most  difficult  films  inspected  by  the  Board  of  Censors.  The 
Committee  suggested  to  the  Club  the  advisability  of  agitating  at 


298  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  Biennial  for  action  working  toward  a  national  bureau  of  cen- 
sorship for  moving  picture  films. 

For  four  years  the  Philosophy  and  Science  Department 
studied  world  politics  with  especial  reference  to,  and  emphasis 
upon,  the  public  affairs  of  the  nation. 

At  the  close  of  the  Club  year  in  April,  1911,  the  Art  and  Lit- 
erature Department  reported  nine  distinct  activities  besides  those 
of  standing  committees.  No  work  done  in  the  Art  and  Literature 
Department  has  meant  more,  apart  from  the  pleasure  and  profit 
accruing  to  those  participating,  than  the  Forestry  Class.  If  twen- 
ty years  ago  every  woman's  club  had  taken  up  the  study  of  for- 
estry, the  nation  would,  doubtless,  have  cause  to  be  eternally 
grateful.  The  language  classes  ceased  to  be  classes,  and  became 
salons  in  every  essential  feature.  Men  and  women  of  French, 
German  and  Italian  birth  and  of  rare  scholarly  attainments  took 
part  in  the  programs.  The  success  of  the  language  classes  has 
added  to  the  prestige  of  this  Club,  all  of  which  adds  to  its  civic 
weight,  its  influence  at  home  and  abroad.  The  class  that  was 
formed  for  the  study  of  Italian  literature  held  its  first  meeting 
on  November  1,  1910,  and  met  the  first  Tuesday  of  each  succeed- 
ing month.  It  was  continued  until  February,  1912. 

Katherine  P.  Girling  writes :  The  English  Study  Class  was 
formed  in  1909,  having  for  its  purpose,  not  the  review  of  English 
literature  so  much,  as  an  appreciation  of  our  language  through 
the  practice  of  writing  it.  It  was  planned  that  each  class  member 
should  present  a  theme  for  criticism  at  each  meeting.  The  lec- 
ture of  the  day  grew  naturally  out  of  the  needs  of  the  class  as 
these  became  apparent.  We  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  have 
had  four  years  of  study  with  Dr.  E.  H.  Lewis ;  Mrs.  Elia  W.  Peat- 
tie  and  Professor  E.  W.  Burrill  each  enriched  the  course  by  a 
year  of  leadership.  The  subjects  of  the  years'  work  have  varied 
in  phrasing,  but  the  work  has  remained  practically  the  same.  Prin- 
ciples of  success  in  writing ;  types  of  twentieth  century  verse  and 
prose ;  forms  and  standards  of  English  discourse ;  the  technique  of 
the  short  story ;  English  reading  and  writing ;  these  were  the 
chosen  topics.  In  the  six  years  of  its  life,  the  English  Study  Class 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  299 

has  trebled  in  size  and  more  than  trebled  in  enthusiasm.  A  credi- 
table amount  of  work  has  seen  the  light  of  print,  both  in  maga- 
zines and  in  books.  Not  the  least  valuable  part  of  the  experience 
has  been  the  class  atmosphere,  the  cordial  interplay  of  interest  and 
appreciation. 

The  Committee  of  the  Art  Study  Class  planned  in  1910-1911 
to  bring  the  work  of  the  class  into  touch  with  what  came  nearest 
home  to  us  here  in  Chicago.  The  idea  was  to  treat  the  American 
school  of  painting  by  considering  the  movements  in  different  Eu- 
ropean countries  and  in  Japan,  movements  which  had  strongly  af- 
fected us,  and  then  to  trace  the  effect  of  these  schools  on  some 
of  the  greatest  American  painters  of  today. 

November  20,  1912,  the  Vocational  School  Committee  of  the 
Art  and  Literature  Department  reported  that  the  superintendent 
had  spoken  of  the  wonderful  development  along  artistic  lines  of 
subnormal  children.  It  was  the  hope  of  the  Committee  to  get  the 
children  now  on  the  streets  into  schools  and  a  hope  of  raising  the 
age  limit  when  children  may  leave  school.  January  15,  1913,  a 
letter  from  Mr.  French  was  read,  speaking  highly  of  the  present 
beneficiary  of  the  Art  Institute  Scholarship  and  suggesting  that 
the  scholarship  be  given  only  one  year  instead  of  three  to  one  per- 
son, as  the  Institute  looked  out  for  any  student  doing  good  work. 
November  19,  1913,  the  Committee  on  Schools  as  Social  Centers 
reported  that  the  work  in  the  Skinner  School  appealed  to  them 
especially.  The  Committee  desired  this  year  to  work  for  the  en- 
tertainment of  the  older  people  and  the  parents  of  the  school  chil- 
dren. December  9,  1913,  a  luncheon  in  honor  of  the  new  mem- 
bers of  the  Department  was  arranged  by  the  Social  Committee. 

The  Committee  on  Drama  was  an  experiment,  but  it  passed 
that  state,  and  became  an  established  activity.  The  Drama  Com- 
mittee entered  upon  its  first  year  in  response  to  a  wish  that  it  rep- 
resent the  growing  interest  in  drama.  This  active  interest  in  the 
drama  is  not  new  to  us.  Those  who  began  these  studies  many 
years  ago  helped  to  establish  the  tradition  of  the  appreciation  of 
all  that  is  best  in  dramatic  literature.  The  Committee  on  Drama 
gave  a  reception  to  actors  in  the  city  and  to  dramatic  writers, 


300  ANNALS  OF  THE 

January  27,  1911.  April  17,  1912,  the  entire  membership  of  the 
Qub  was  invited  to  join  with  the  Art  and  Literature  Department 
in  the  celebration  of  Shakespeare's  birthday.  April  23,  1913,  the 
Shakespeare  day  program  was  given  in  Studebaker  Theatre  at 
10:15,  followed  by  luncheon  in  the  Qub;  on  this  day  there  were 
175  out  of  town  and  789  city  guests. 

February  18,  1914,  a  new  art  loan  collection  was  reported 
for  use  in  the  public  schools,  by  the  Public  School  Art  Society,  to 
be  known  as  the  Loan  Collection  of  the  Art  and  Literature  De- 
partment of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  Six  pictures  had  been 
placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Chairman  as  a  nucleus  for  this  collec- 
tion, which  would  be  placed  first  in  the  Jones  school.  Pictures 
were  also  given  to  the  Park  Ridge  school  by  the  Department.  April 
15,  1914,  reports  showed  unusual  programmes  in  every  one  of  the 
study  classes.  In  this  Department  the  main  work  of  which  is 
done  in  its  many  classes,  it  is  difficult  to  give  an  adequate  report 
of  the  year's  accomplishment  because  the  chief  results  must  ever 
be  intangible,  not  to  be  put  into  words.  To  say  that  96  pro- 
grams have  been  given  touching  nearly  every  vital  topic  of  the  day 
which  comes  under  the  head  of  art  and  literature,  is  to  give  little 
idea  of  the  significance  of  what  has  been  done. 

November  23,  1910,  the  Civics  Committee  and  the  Education 
Department  united  in  bringing  the  exhibit  of  public  school  work 
in  civics  to  the  Club  rooms.  The  interest  of  the  Civics  Com- 
mittee centered  on  the  civic  value  of  encouraging  school  chil- 
dren to  study  the  needs  of  their  home  districts.  One  instance 
of  vital  value  was  evidenced  by  the  result  of  efforts  of  pupils 
of  the  Myra  Bradwell  School  to  eradicate  poison  ivy.  The 
Civics  Committee  practically  resolved  itself  into  a  com- 
mittee-of-the-whole  on  garbage,  conditions  being  investigated. 
The  work  was  largely  educational,  and  for  publicity,  and  was 
directed  toward  assembling  facts  which  later  might  be  used  in 
an  effort  to  procure  a  city  reduction  plant.  A  member  of  the 
Civics  Committee  reported  on  measures  before  the  City  Council, 
which  might  be  of  interest  to  all.  April  26,  1911,  the  sub-com- 
mittee on  billboards  labored  earnestly  to  assist  in  the  passage  of 
an  ordinance  relating  to  billboards,  by  the  City  Council.  The  Com- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  301 

mittee  on  Sanitation  Instruction  began  a  work  in  which  every 
member  of  the  Club  took  deep  interest — the  instruction  of  house- 
wives in  that  congested  district,  the  ninth  ward,  The  work  was 
carried  on  during  three  summer  months,  under  the  direction  of 
Miss  Rose  Zwihilsky.  The  Committee  published  a  report  of 
housing  conditions  in  the  twentieth  ward,  showing  the  result  of  a 
year's  work.  A  year  later  the  chairman  of  the  Civics  Committee 
stated :  "One  committee  can  do  little  or  nothing,  but  the  time  is 
ripe  for  united  action  to  bring  about  a  sense  of  civic  responsibility 
for  city  housing  as  for  other  public  concerns.  Every  woman's  club 
of  Chicago  should  adopt  a  ward  or  a  neighborhood,  study  its  hous- 
ing, its  public  housekeeping;  encourage  the  ward  superintendent 
and  strive  to  rouse  in  that  ward  a  civic  consciousness  leading  in 
time  to  civic  self-respect." 

April  24,  1912,  the  Committee  on  Social  Hygiene  reported  as 
follows :  "A  conference  was  held  after  Christmas  to  discuss  the 
teaching  of  sex  hygiene.  Prof.  Henderson  led  the  discussion. 
One  thousand  invitations  were  sent  out.  There  are  several 
branches  of  work  which  this  committee  may  undertake:  1st,  the 
securing  of  needed  legislation  to  care  for  and  protect  the  child 
born  out  of  wedlock ;  2nd,  to  provide  care  for  pregnant  mothers 
before  and  after  childbirth ;  3d,  to  hold  a  conference  of  race  pres- 
ervation, in  which  screens  could  be  used  to  demonstrate  methods 
of  race  regeneration,  by  showing  statistics  in  race  development  and 
suggesting  remedies  for  race  deterioration.  The  teaching  of  sex 
hygiene  is  now  a  problem  for  the  teaching  profession  to  solve.  A 
flood  of  literature  on  the  subject  is  sweeping  over  the  country, 
most  of  which  is  wretched,  sentimental  or  untrue;  nothing  is 
more  needed  than  a  censorship  of  such  books,  and  a  list  of  those 
which  could  be  recommended  by  experts  or  teachers. 

During  the  year  1910-1911,  two  legislative  efforts  were  made 
in  regard  to  child  labor  legislation  in  Illinois,  one  to  keep  the  law 
intact  against  an  exception  in  favor  of  children  on  the  stage,  and 
the  other  to  extend  safe-guarding  to  street-vending  children.  No- 
vember 22,  1911,  Jane  Addams  reported  on  the  work  of  the  Child 
Labor  Committee.  She  stated  that  329  theatres  had  been  cleared 
of  children  through  the  present  child  labor  law ;  last  winter  a  com- 


302  ANNALS  OF  THE 

mittee  of  famous  playwrights  and  theatrical  people  had  gone  to 
Springfield  to  try  to  break  down  the  legislation ;  that  a  large  com- 
mittee had  gone  down,  and  had  been  successful  in  maintaining  the 
law.  She  reported  that  a  law  had  been  passed  in  several  states, 
keeping  girls  and  boys  under  ten  from  trading  on  the  streets  at 
night;  that  the  law  has  not  been  passed  in  Illinois,  where  the 
age  is  sixteen  with  girls  and  ten  with  boys.  She  said  the  com- 
mittee was  working  on  this  law.  April  24,  1912,  the  Child  Labor 
Committee  reported:  The  draft  of  an  ordinance  was  drawn  up 
which  prohibited  boys  under  12  and  girls  under  16  from  peddling 
on  the  streets  or  in  public  places.  Boys  between  12  and  16  must 
receive  a  license,  and  wear  a  badge,  to  be  issued  by  the  Commis- 
sioner of  Health — this  license  must  not  be  issued  until  after  the 
Commissioner  of  Health  has  assured  himself  that  the  boy's  age  is 
correctly  stated,  that  his  school  record  is  up  to  normal,  and  that 
he  is  able  physically  to  sell  upon  the  streets.  The  draft  as  it 
stands  at  present  prohibits  girls  under  18  from  peddling  on  the 
streets,  and  boys  under  14  may  not  peddle  upon  the  streets,  or  in 
public  places,  before  five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  or  after  eight  in 
the  evening;  boys  between  14  and  16  cannot  sell  unless  they 
shall  be  provided  with  and  have  on  their  persons  age  and  school 
certificates  issued  in  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  the  Child 
Labor  Law. 

The  Public  Baths  Committee  reported:  There  are  many 
public  baths  frequented  by  large  numbers  of  women  and  chil- 
dren in  the  small  parks  of  Chicago,  and  under  the  jurisdiction 
and  supervision  of  the  different  park  boards,  where  no  doubt  a 
large  committee  could  find  much  work  to  do.  Since  the  manage- 
ment of  the  parks  comes  in  such  close  touch  with  the  lives  of 
young  people,  it  seems  strange  that  there  has  never  been  a  woman 
placed  on  one  of  these  boards.  This  committee,  feeling  that  the 
moral  life  of  the  young  is  greatly  influenced  by  the  life  at  the 
park,  would  suggest  that  this  Club  use  its  influence  to  have  a 
woman  made  a  member  of  each  park  board. 

The  Committee  on  Public  Schools  as  Social  Centers  stated 
that  thirteen  centers  had  been  carried  on  successfully  by  the 
Board  of  Education  during  the  year  1911-1912. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  303 

The  Library  Committee  reported  for  the  year  1911-1912 :  Af- 
ter careful  consideration  and  after  having  received  an  earnest  ap- 
peal from  the  neighborhood  at  Davis  Square,  the  Committee  de- 
cided to  continue  the  library  extension  work,  begun  by  the  Wom- 
an's Club  in  the  winter  of  1907.  This  work  had  for  its  object  the 
affiliation  of  the  public  school  child  with  the  Public  Library 
through  the  medium  of  the  story  hour.  The  Committee  had  been 
able  to  gather  an  average  of  175  school  children  in  the  assembly 
room  of  the  field  house  at  Davis  Square.  Here  on  each  Thursday 
after  school  during  four  or  five  of  the  winter  months,  these  chil- 
dren have  listened  to  a  well  planned  program  of  historic,  classic 
and  modern  stories,  often  illustrated  with  the  stereopticon,  con- 
necting them  directly  with  the  books  to  which  they  have  access  in 
the  branch  of  the  Public  Library  at  Davis  Square. 

The  Committee  the  following  year  worked  in  co-operation 
with  Mr.  Legler  of  the  Public  Library,  and  continued  the  story 
hour  at  Davis  Square,  under  Miss  Faulkner,  who  gave  fifteen 
talks,  seven  with  stereopticon  views.  Patriotic  days,  Lincoln's 
and  Washington's  birthdays,  brought  out  an  attendance  of  375 
children  each  time.  Altogether  2,400  children  attended.  Plans 
were  made  for  a  similar  story  hour  in  one  of  the  small  parks  in 
a  different  section  of  the  city.  In  1914  the  Committee  offered 
a  short  course  of  lectures  on  story  telling  at  the  Public  Library 
for  its  training  class. 

January  24,  1912,  the  Permanent  School  Extension  Commit- 
tee announced  that  it  had  taken  up  the  work  of  serving  penny 
lunches  to  school  children.  During  the  year  of  1911-1912  the 
Chicago  School  Extension  Committee  saw  two  of  its  largest 
undertakings  made  permanent  factors  of  Chicago  child  wel- 
fare work.  During  October,  1911,  at  the  beginning  of  the  year, 
the  open  air  schools  and  low  temperature  school  rooms  were 
taken  over  by  the  Elizabeth  McCormick  Memorial  Fund,  based 
upon  the  experiments  and  conclusions  of  the  School  Extension 
Committee.  March,  1911,  the  social  work  and  worker  of  West 
Park  No.  3,  were  assumed  by  the  West  Park  Commission. 
When  this  experiment  was  begun  three  years  ago,  no  use  was 
being  made  of  the  beautiful  recreation  buildings  during  the 


304  ANNALS  OF  THE 

forenoons  and  early  afternoons,  nor  were  the  youngest  or  the  old- 
est citizens  being  offered  recreational  programs  or  leaders.  The 
School  Extension  Committee,  believing  that  the  recreational  inter- 
ests of  our  people  were  also  a  part  of  its  education,  undertook  to 
support  a  social  worker,  Mary  R.  Goldsmith,  at  West  Park, 
No.  3,  20th  Street,  near  Blue  Island  Avenue,  her  duties 
being  to  study  the  neighborhood  and  promote  the  recreations 
not  looked  after  by  other  organizations.  It  was  found  that 
the  indoor  schedules  occupied  eight  months  of  the  year,  and  that 
the  same  old  social  problems,  which  exist  wherever  human  beings 
congregate,  showed  themselves  here  in  the  field  house,  and  that 
young  and  old  needed  guidance  in  their  programs  of  recreation. 
The  Committee  supported  the  social  worker,  at  an  expense  of  $800 
or  $900  per  year  and  developed  the  new  official  position  of  woman 
play  leader,  to  be  provided  in  all  west  side  playgrounds,  subject 
to  civil  service  examination.  Our  social  worker  took  charge  of 
kindergarten  playrooms  for  the  young,  social  hours  for  the  hard 
working  women,  family  parties  and  general  festivals,  both  in  and 
out-door  playgrounds,  gardens  and  story  leagues.  The  gardens 
have  attracted  attention  in  many  parts  of  America.  There  is  no 
doubt  that  the  standard  of  men  and  women  attendants,  instructors 
and  superintendents  of  our  playgrounds  has  been  raised  because  of 
the  experiment  of  the  School  Extension  Committee,  demanding 
that  women  of  social  vision  and  culture  be  added  to  the  regular 
staff  of  police  officers,  physical  directors  and  special  gymnasium 
instructors.  The  next  step  is  to  ask  for  a  woman  member  on 
each  park  commission,  who  may  add  the  element  of  social  insight 
to  these  already  overburdened  bodies,  overburdened  with  the 
great  but  not  greater  responsibilities  of  park  planting,  boulevard- 
ing,  building  and  rebuilding. 

April  24,  1912,  Miss  Snow,  delegate  to  the  Convention  on  Vo- 
cational Training,  reported  sufficient  funds  to  pay  the  salary  for 
the  entire  year  of  Miss  Davis  as  director  of  the  work  of  employ- 
ment, supervision  and  vocational  guidance  of  14  to  16  year  old 
children.  The  Principals'  Club  endorsed  the  work  of  the  com- 
mittee and  promised  to  co-operate.  The  greatest  need  was  for  an 
assistant  to  Miss  Davis.  25,000  children  between  14  and  16  were 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  305 

reported  as  neither  at  work  nor  in  school ;  about  1  per  cent  was 
reached.  The  subsequent  year  the  Committee  reported  that  it  had 
been  in  close  co-operation  during  the  year  with  the  Joint  Voca- 
tional Committee,  which  is  now  composed  of  174  individual 
members,  and  representatives  of  twenty  clubs.  This  Committee 
presented  the  work  to  each  of  the  departments  in  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club,  as  well  as  to  the  club  as  a  whole.  The  depart- 
ments had  contributed  to  the  work,  and  amounts  varying  from  $2 
to  $150  had  been  contributed  by  individual  members  of  the  club. 
Five  other  workers,  whose  salaries  were  contributed  by  other  agen- 
cies, were  working  in  closest  co-operation  in  this  problem  under 
the  direction  of  Miss  Davis  and  the  School  of  Civics  and  Phi- 
lanthropy. The  Board  of  Education  appointed  one  of  its 
assistant  superintendents,  W.  M.  Roberts,  to  co-operate  with 
this  committee  in  this  employment,  supervision  and  vocational 
guidance  work.  The  School  Board  was  giving  housing  to 
the  work  of  the  committee,  having  provided  a  room  for  Miss 
Davis  and  her  assistants,  with  typewriter,  printing  and  postage 
furnished  by  the  Board.  The  Committee  was  paying  the  sal- 
ary of  a  stenographer  and  office  girl.  The  following  is  a  re- 
port of  the  work  from  October  1,  1911,  to  October  1,  1912: 
Children  interviewed,  878 ;  placed  in  positions,  379 ;  found  work 
for  themselves,  83;  placed  in  school,  171;  waiting  for  places  or 
reported  as  children  for  which  nothing  could  be  done,  245.  The 
Hull  House  Trade  School  was  opened  January  12,  1912.  About 
20  girls  are  in  training  there,  graduating  from  the  class  at  the 
end  of  three  months.  36  girls  have  graduated  thus  far.  All  of 
the  graduates  have  been  placed  in  dress-making  shops  at  an  initial 
wage  of  from  $4  to  $6  a  week.  They  are  girls  who  would  have 
gone  into  unskilled  trades  at  from  $2.50  to  $3.00  per  week. 

The  University  of  Chicago,  through  its  High  School,  opened 
an  industrial  class.  The  boys  work  in  the  manual  training 
shops  at  the  High  School  and  in  a  practical  way  with  the 
plumbers,  electricians,  and  others,  who  are  employed  about  the 
buildings  and  grounds.  They  are  also  given  academic  work,  re- 
citing sometimes  with  the  students  and  sometimes  in  separate 
classes  which  the  teachers  instruct  during  their  own  leisure  time, 


306  ANNALS  OF  THE 

and  for  which  they  give  their  services.  One  hundred  and  seven- 
ty-one children  were  sent  back  to  school  last  year,  58  of  whom 
were  placed  in  the  Hull  House  Trade  School  and  22  in  the  in- 
dustrial class  at  the  University,  7  in  the  Lucy  Flower  Technical 
High  School  and  others  in  various  grade  schools  in  the  city.  A 
similar  number  is  being  put  to  school  this  year,  instead  of  being 
allowed  to  go  into  unskilled  employment,  which  would  be  of  a 
casual  and  intermittent  character,  and  which  would  mean  unem- 
ployment and  drudgery  for  their  whole  lives.  It  is  this  part  of 
our  work  that  gives  us  most  gratification.  In  many  cases  it  is  im- 
possible for  children  to  take  this  further  training  because  of  the 
immediate  need  of  the  amount,  however  small,  which  the  young 
worker  is  able  to  add  to  the  family  income.  Through  contribu- 
tions from  members  and  friends,  the  committee  has  been  able  to 
give  scholarships  during  a  part  of  the  year  to  a  few  children  who 
seemed  particularly  promising  or  were  in  special  need  of  voca- 
tional training.  These  scholarships  varied  from  sixty  cents  a 
week,  which  paid  carfare  to  and  from  school,  to  three  dollars  a 
week  which  was  the  amount  the  child  would  have  earned  if  he 
had  gone  to  work.  During  this  year  about  $500  has  been  con- 
tributed to  such  scholarships,  besides  this,  a  number  of  children 
who  needed  only  clothes  to  be  able  to  go  back  to  school,  have  been 
fitted  out  and  returned  to  school.  Plans  are  now  under  way  to 
effect  a  closer  union  with  other  organizations  interested  in  chil- 
dren of  this  age.  It  is  hoped  to  perfect  a  system  which  shall  give 
to  the  public  schools  the  best  form  of  co-operation  possible.  The 
Committee  regards  the  taking  over  of  the  direction  of  this  work 
by  the  public  schools  as  the  fruition  of  long  and  earnest  hope  and 
effort ;  but  it  knows,  too,  that  this  will  greatly  enlarge  its  oppor- 
tunities and  it  is  anxious  to  render  the  most  effective  service  pos- 
sible. 

The  Committee  on  Public  Schools  as  Social  Centers  stated: 
Our  schools  must  be  more  than  social  centers,  they  must  be  civic 
centers,  offering  a  platform  for  the  discussion  of  questions  af- 
fecting the  moral  and  civic  life  of  the  community.  We  have  no 
right  to  neglect  the  adult,  nor  to  widen  the  gap  between  parent 
and  child. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  307 

The  meetings  of  the  Open  Door  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  were  resumed  November  6,  1910,  and  continued  each 
Sunday  until  March  26,  1911,  the  last  of  the  season.  In  all 
there  were  twenty-one  meetings,  91  persons,  exclusive  of  the  va- 
rious chairmen,  taking  part  in  the  entertainment  of  the  guests; 
of  these  70  were  violinists,  vocalists  and  pianists,  in  addition 
to  the  wonderful  Chinese  orchestra  with  marvelous  instru- 
ments. The  other  entertainers  were  speakers,  lecturers  and  read- 
ers. This  really  inspiring  array  of  talent  was  secured  entirely 
without  cost  to  the  Club.  The  succeeding  year  the  attendance  was 
excellent  and  the  appreciation  of  the  hospitality  of  the  Club  most 
gratifying.  During  1912-13  twelve  meetings  were  held  on  con- 
secutive Sunday  afternoons,  commencing  January  5  and  ending 
March  23,  Easter  Sunday.  The  services  of  the  artists  who  placed 
their  time  and  talents  at  our  command,  were  given  with  enthu- 
siasm and  generosity.  The  following  season  the  Open  Door  held 
thirteen  meetings  on  consecutive  Sunday  afternoons,  commenc- 
ing January  4  and  ending  March  29. 

March  1,  1911,  the  Club  urged  upon  the  Legislature  the 
increase  of  the  appropriation  for  factory  inspection  to  $50,000 
and  that  the  inspectors  be  placed  on  the  civil  service  list.  Octo- 
ber 25,  the  Legislative  Committee  asked  the  Club  to  support  some 
measure  to  improve  the  registration  of  births  in  Illinois ;  to  en- 
dorse the  Esch  bill,  to  impose  a  prohibitive  tax  on  the  manufacture 
of  white  phosphorus  matches,  and  to  prohibit  the  exportation  and 
importation  of  the  same,  and  to  communicate  this  endorsement 
to  the  Ways  and  Means  Committee  of  Congress ;  to  endorse  Dr. 
Woodruff's  plan  for  the  prevention  of  blindness ;  to  ask  the  City 
Council  to  pass  a  law  requiring  all  bakers  to  wrap  bread  in  par- 
affine  paper.  All  of  these  measures  were  endorsed.  March  27, 
1912,  a  proposed  bill  for  the  establishment  of  an  immigration 
office  in  Chicago  was  appproved.  April  24,  1912,  the  Legisla- 
tive Committee  recommended  that  an  ordinance  be  passed  by  the 
City  Council  compelling  the  City  Railways  Company  to  provide 
half-fare  rates  for  school  children.  The  Club  endorsed  the  Cali- 
fornia State  Federation's  request  for  an  appropriation  of  $100,000 
to  fight  the  white  slave  traffic. 


308  ANNALS  OF  THE 

November  27,  1912,  these  resolutions  were  adopted :  Where- 
as, An  investigation  made  during  the  past  year  by  the  Civics  Com- 
mittee of  this  Club  into  housing  conditions  in  Chicago  revealed 
1,666  violations  of  sanitary  ordinances  within  an  area  of  sixteen 
blocks  inhabited  exclusively  by  working  people,  and 

Whereas,  A  second  inspection  of  the  same  territory  revealed 
376  corrections  of  these  violations  while  in  945  instances  condi- 
tions were  found  unchanged  or  worse,  and 

Whereas,  This  deplorable  result,  despite  the  utmost  efforts  of 
the  Sanitary  Bureau  to  effect  improvements  reveals  the  fact  that 
the  force  of  inspectors  of  the  Sanitary  Bureau  is  totally  inade- 
quate to  enforce  existing  ordinances,  be  it 

Resolved,  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  urge  that  the  mod- 
erate appropriations  asked  by  the  Health  Department  be  approved 
by  the  Mayor,  Controller,  and  Finance  Committee,  and  granted 
by  the  City  Council. 

It  was  also  voted  that  we  endorse  and  enlist  in  the  sane 
Christmas  crusade  designed  to  encourage  a  revival  of  the  con- 
sistent Christmas  spirit  of  good  cheer  and  uplifting  fellowship ; 
to  foster  and  promote  a  sane  and  reasonable  Christmas ;  to 
encourage  and  inspire  the  writing  of  letters,  the  sending  of 
appropriate  greetings,  and  the  giving  of  useful  and  needed  gifts 
to  children  and  the  worthy  poor;  and  to  discourage  a  further  in- 
crease in  the  practice  of  burdensome  and  meaningless  gifts.  The 
Club  also  endorsed  a  resolution  against  segregated  vice  in  Chi- 
cago; the  resolution  of  the  Citizens'  Association  of  Chicago  re- 
garding a  proposed  constitutional  convention  for  Illinois ;  a  bill 
to  grant  women  the  right  to  vote  for  presidential  electors  and 
certain  other  officers. 

Nellie  Johnson  O'Connor,  in  her  report  as  President,  April 
27,  1912,  states :  "Reviewing  the  year's  work  of  our  Club  Com- 
mittees, the  Civics  Committee,  composed  of  a  handful  of  our 
members,  has  done  work  which  should  have  appealed  strongly  to 
the  members  of  our  Club  at  large.  This  Committee  has  long  felt 
that  civic  improvement  should  be  brought  about  in  the  poorest 
of  the  city's  districts.  After  three  months'  trial  the  work  was 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  309 

found  to  be  so  beneficial  for  better  housing,  better  care  of  chil- 
dren, that  $800  was  raised  to  maintain  the  work  for  a  longer  time. 
During  the  year  many  homes  have  been  visited,  conditions  im- 
proved, the  attention  of  public  authorities  called  to  cases  of  suf- 
fering, and  a  long  step  made  in  the  direction  of  better  things.  The 
new  Committee  on  Public  Baths  looks  to  better  arrangements  for 
the  protection  of  the  morals  of  children  and  urges  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  woman  on  every  park  board. 

The  Club  rejoices  in  the  Children's  Bureau  created  at 
Washington,  and  in  the  appointment  of  one  of  our  own  members, 
Julia  C.  Lathrop,  as  its  head. 

The  Club  has  completed  the  year's  assistance  pledged  to  the 
Mary  Thompson  Hospital  for  Women  and  Children.  Ten  of  the 
trustees  were  selected  from  the  members  of  our  Club,  according 
to  agreement,  with  your  president  as  president. 

Another  work,  which  originating  in  the  Department  of  Edu- 
cation, has  enlisted  the  assistance  of  other  departments  until  it  is 
virtually  a  club  committee,  is  that  of  vocational  training.  Other 
organizations  have  co-operated  in  the  movement  until  the  work 
has  been  established  on  a  permanent  basis.  Through  the  efforts 
of  this  committee  money  was  raised  and  a  bureau  established  in 
the  new  Lucy  Flower  Technical  High  School. 

Another  new  committee  has  been  appointed  to  further  suf- 
frage and  has  done  some  active  work.  I  believe  that  the  time 
has  come  when  the  women's  clubs  doing  practical  work  and 
realizing  their  inability,  after  the  inauguration  of  certain  reforms, 
to  see  them  properly  administered,  must  work  as  a  unit  for  wom- 
en's right  to  vote. 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department  has  maintained  and  con- 
ducted in  a  scholarly  way  nine  classes,  including  Literature,  Art, 
Music,  Forestry,  French,  German,  Italian,  English  and  the  Drama. 

Four  of  the  Departments,  looking  toward  the  conservation  of 
time  and  energy,  united  their  classes  into  one,  with  one  meeting 
a  month  conducted  by  the  different  departments  respectively. 

Four  new  publications  have  been  issued  by  the  Club  or  its 
Departments.  A  rice  bulletin  by  the  Home  Department;  "City 


310  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Ordinances  You  Ought  to  Know"  by  the  Reform  Department; 
"Women  as  Citizens,"  a  pamphlet  consisting  of  the  last  chapter  of 
Mr.  Hard's  book  "Women  of  Tomorrow,"  published  with  his  con- 
sent as  a  propaganda  for  suffrage ;  and  the  memorial  of  our  late 
loved  President,  Mrs.  Otto  H.  Matz. 

As  our  Club  is  the  oldest  doing  practical  work,  and  has  in- 
itiated so  many  movements,  I  believe  that  it  should  stand  for  this 
influence  in  the  community.  Centrally  located  in  the  down  town 
district,  counting  among  its  members  many  who  have  stood  for 
the  larger  things  of  life,  known  not  only  in  our  city,  but  to  the 
world  at  large,  I  believe  that  its  purpose,  more  than  ever,  should 
be  the  initiative  through  which  interests  may  be  distributed  to  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  city  and,  by  the  co-operation  of  all,  vital  ques- 
tions worked  out  for  the  welfare  of  the  community  as  a  whole." 

The  Club  entertained  the  ladies  accompanying  the  visiting 
delegates  to  the  Twelfth  International  Navigation  Congress,  June 
14,  1912,  and  during  June  the  ladies  accompanying  delegates  to 
the  Republican  National  Convention  were  offered  the  hospitality 
of  the  Club.  A  reception  was  given  by  the  Membership  Commit- 
tee on  October  1,  in  honor  of  new  members.  The  President, 
Mrs.  Bass,  reported  that  the  Association  of  Commerce  had 
asked  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  to  co-operate  with  the  city 
civic  organizations  and  entertain  the  wives  of  the  visiting  mem- 
bers of  the  International  Congress  of  Chambers  of  Commerce, 
who  were  to  visit  Chicago  following  the  convention  in  Boston; 
and  that  she  had  offered  in  the  name  of  the  Club  to  give  a  lunch- 
eon to  the  wives  of  the  members  on  Monday,  October  7,  which 
was  accepted.  There  were  to  be  forty-three  guests  and  the  com- 
mittee of  women  appointed  by  the  Chicago  Association  of  Com- 
merce were  also  invited  as  guests  of  the  club,  and  besides  the 
officers  and  board  of  managers,  ten  to  twenty  linguists  of  the 
Club  would  be  invited.  The  President  stated  that  she  would 
welcome  the  guests  of  the  Club,  and  that  Mrs.  Henrotin  had  been 
invited,  and  had  signified  her  willingness  to  address  the  guests 
in  French  and  Mrs.  Henry  L.  Frank  would  address  them  in 
German. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  311 

October  16,  1912,  the  subject  for  the  day's  program  was 
"Politics  in  the  Humanitarian  Institutions  of  Cook  County".  A 
letter  was  read  from  the  secretary  of  the  Mayor,  acknowledging 
receipt  of  the  resolutions  concerning  vice  segregation,  mailed  Oc- 
tober 23. 

Ocober  30,  1912,  the  President  introduced  Baroness  Bertha 
von  Suttner,  of  Vienna,  Austria,  who  spoke  on  "International 
Arbitration."  A  large  number  of  guests  was  present  to  hear 
Baroness  von  Suttner,  27  from  out  of  town  and  over  100  from 
the  city.  The  following  resolutions  were  read  and  adopted : 

Whereas,  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  has  endorsed  the 
peace  movement,  and,  whereas,  our  distinguished  guest  of  the 
day  advocates  a  systematic  study  of  war  against  warfare,  in  order 
to  understand  its  problems  and  more  intelligently  work  in  its  in- 
terests, and,  whereas,  the  General  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs  in  San  Francisco  recommended  that  such  study  classes  be 
formed  in  the  clubs,  be  it  Resolved,  that  the  Education  Depart- 
ment of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  be  asked  to  consider  the 
feasibility  of  forming  such  a  study  class,  having  three  or  four 
programs  during  the  year  devoted  to  the  subject  of  the  peace 
movement. 

The  Club  gave  a  reception  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Percy  V.  Penny- 
backer,  President  of  the  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs, 
on  Monday,  November  11,  1912;  the  reception  was  preceded  by 
a  luncheon  tendered  by  the  Board  of  Managers. 

December  11,  1912,  Gifford  Pinchot  spoke  on  "Conser- 
vation." He  spoke  of  the  great  need  of  guarding  the  present 
forest  preserves,  and  the  necessity  in  the  near  future  of  guard- 
ing the  water  power  of  the  country. 

The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  was  at  home  to  its  members  and 
their  families  on  Wednesday  afternoon,  January  1,  1913.  Mrs. 
Emily  Montague  Bishop  gave  readings  of  dramatic  scenes  from 
the  United  States  Senate,  taken  from  the  Congressional  Record. 
The  Board  of  Managers  gave  themselves  the  pleasure  of  en- 
tertaining Mrs.  C.  N.  Underwood  at  luncheon  on  Saturday, 
January  18,  1912,  in  honor  of  her  birthday  and  to  celebrate  the 


312  ANNALS  OF  THE 

twenty-first  anniversary  of  her  unfailing  care  and  devotion  to 
the  Club  and  its  members. 

On  January  22,  1913,  Mrs.  John  C.  Bley,  Chairman  of  the 
Playgrounds  Committee,  stated  that  the  committee  had  conceived 
a  plan  to  make  its  work  more  useful  to  a  greater  number  of 
people,  and  wished  to  form  a  committee  to  organize  an  association 
to  give  music  to  the  people  of  Chicago  by  giving  free  concerts 
in  the  field  houses  of  the  eighteen  or  more  small  parks  in 
the  city,  almost  no  use  being  made  of  them  on  Sunday  after- 
noons. Mrs.  Bley  moved  that  the  President  of  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  appoint  a  committee  of  three,  to  take  steps  to 
form  such  an  organization.  This  motion  prevailed  and  the 
President  appointed  a  committee  to  take  initial  steps  to  form  an 
association,  which  should  furnish  good  music  free  of  charge  in 
the  field  houses  of  the  small  parks  on  Sunday  afternoons.  Mrs. 
George  B.  Carpenter  was  made  charmain  of  the  committee. 

January  29,  1913,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  urge  upon  the  City  Council  Finance  Committee  the  appro- 
priation of  an  adequate  amount  of  money  to  secure  a  scientific, 
city-wide,  sanitary,  permanent  and  economical  solution  of  the 
garbage  problem.  The  Club  endorsed  a  bill  to  amend  the  Juul 
law,  providing  that  in  districts  of  over  1,000  population  and  un- 
der 100,000,  by  special  vote  of  the  electors,  up  to  two  per  cent 
school  tax  may  be  levied  for  educational  purposes.  This  bill 
would  give  a  welcome  relief  to  many  districts  that  under  the 
present  law  can  scarcely  pay  their  teachers  a  living  wage,  and 
cannot  employ  enough  teachers. 

Miss  Zonia  Baber  presented  a  resolution  for  preserving 
natural  earth  formations  in  Chicago  and  environs  for  educational 
purposes.  It  was  resolved  that  the  Club  petition  the  South  Park 
Commissioners  to  secure  the  western  one-fifth  of  Stony  Island 
for  a  park. 

The  Club  endorsed  the  resolution  of  the  Forestry  Class,  re- 
questing the  members  of  the  General  Assembly  of  Illinois,  to  pass 
the  bill  for  the  purchase  of  the  White  Pine  Forest  Tract  of  Ogle 
County  for  a  State  Forest  Reserve  and  State  Park. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  313 

In  February,  1913,  it  was  resolved  that  the  Chicago  Wom- 
an's Club  ask  the  Superintendent  of  Schools  and  the  Board  of 
Education  not  to  discriminate  against  women  on  account  of  sex 
in  the  appointment  of  principals  of  high  schools.  It  was  also 
resolved,  that  where  it  is  considered  advisable  to  number  old 
streets  to  give  definite  ideas  of  distance  from  the  heart  of  the 
city,  that  the  number  be  hyphenated  to  the  old  name,  and  the 
historical  note  be  thus  preserved. 

In  March,  1913,  the  Club  endorsed  a  bill  to  establish  mini- 
mum wage  boards,  which  bill  had  been  endorsed  by  the  Mini- 
mum Wage  Committee;  also  the  Murdock  bill  for  labelling  of 
fabrics,  the  prison  labor  resolution,  and  the  act  to  provide  one 
day  of  rest  in  seven  for  employees.  The  Education  Depart- 
ment asked  that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  request  the  Mayor 
to  appoint  a  woman  physician  on  the  Board  of  Education. 

The  Chairman  of  the  History  Committee  reported  in  April, 
1913: 

In  some  instances  action  of  the  Club  in  later  years  was  clear- 
ly foreshadowed  in  the  early  days,  in  others  the  proceedings  were 
most  informal,  owing  to  the  small  number  of  members  enrolled 
at  thatl  time. 

A  reform  school  for  girls  was  demanded  in  1886,  and  a  pe- 
tition sent  to  the  Legislature  urging  the  passage  of  a  bill  on  the 
subject  before  that  body.  A  minimum  wage  for  women  was  dis- 
cussed in  1900. 

The  number  of  women  gaining  power  and  efficiency  through 
service  on  various  committees  cannot  be  estimated. 

The  Social  Committee  reported:  We  entertained  175  out-of- 
town  and  789  city  guests.  This  either  proves  that  our  programs 
are  attractive  or  that  they  cannot  resist  the  charm  of  our  mem- 
bers. Perhaps  it  is  both. 

The  Membership  Committee  reported  having  sent  samples  of 
membership  blanks  and  filing  cards  to  a  new  club  in  Santa  Fe, 
New  Mexico,  to  the  Twentieth  Century  Club  of  Detroit,  and  to 
an  Oak  Park  woman's  club,  which  were  desirous  of  adopting  a 
correct  system  of  membership  records. 


314  ANNALS  OF  THE 

On  April  2,  1913,  Mrs.  Carpenter  reported  the  work  of  the 
Committee  on  Music  in  Public  Playgrounds,  and  moved  that  the 
Music  Study  Class  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  be 
made  a  committee  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  to  further  the 
work  and  urged  a  full  attendance  at  the  meeting  to  be  held  in 
Orchestra  Hall  Friday,  April  18,  at  4:30  p.  m. 

The  Committee  reported  November  26,  1913 :  "A  move- 
ment in  Chicago  for  the  establishment  of  what  may  be  called  a 
'Civic  Music  Association'  was  brought  some  weeks  ago  to  the 
notice  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  and,  upon  request,  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  by  the  Club  to  investigate,  and  if  advisa- 
ble, to  endeavor  to  interest  our  citizens  in  the  formation  of  such 
an  organization.  The  scheme,  which  is  broadly  civic  in  its  in- 
tention and  possibilities,  includes  in  its  inception  the  establishment 
of  a  series  of  concerts  to  be  given  gratis  on  Sunday  afternoons 
during  the  autumn  and  winter  months  in  each  of  the  eighteen 
field  houses  connected  with  the  parks  and  playgrounds  of  the 
city.  Programs  are  already  assured  through  promises  volun- 
teered by  over  fifty  of  our  best  musicians,  and  with  the  field 
houses,  seating  from  three  to  six  hundred,  open  to  a  public  eager 
for  the  best  music,  it  remains  only  to  introduce  and  organize  the 
movement.  Co-operating  with  the  Association  are:  The  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club,  The  Amateur  Musical  Club,  The  Junior 
League,  Lake  View  Musical  Society,  Sinai  Congregation,  Com- 
missioners of  South  Parks,  Commissioners  of  West  Parks,  Com- 
missioners of  Lincoln  Park,  Playground  Association,  Sunbeam 
League,  Hyde  Park  Orchestral  and  Choral  Association,  Carter 
H.  Harrison,  Mayor ;  Frederick  A.  Stock,  conductor  of  the  Chi- 
cago Symphony  Orchestra ;  Mrs.  Ella  Flagg  Young,  superintend- 
ent of  Schools." 

On  April,  1914,  the  Committee  stated:  "Very  few  meet- 
ings of  the  Committee  have  been  necessary  for  the  initial  year  of 
the  Association;  the  work  was  limited  mainly  to  increasing  and 
continuing  the  efforts  to  secure  regular  memberships  for  the  As- 
sociation at  two  dollars,  and  attendance  upon  certain  concerts 
given  at  the  field  houses  on  Sunday  afternoons.  In  reviewing 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  315 

the  work  of  this  and  any  other  year  of  the  Civic  Music  Associa- 
tion, we  shall  find  our  satisfaction  and  pride  in  the  fact  that  this 
great  work,  as  well  as  many  another,  was  conceived,  guarded  and 
developed  by  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  The  work  in  this  in- 
stance promises  to  broaden  and  grow,  dependent  almost  entirely 
upon  the  response  financially  in  subscriptions  and  memberships. 
Every  other  factor  is  demonstrated  to  be  available  by  the  suc- 
cess of  the  Association's  first  year.  The  Association  gave  forty- 
seven  concerts  in  the  months  November-March.  These  concerts 
consisted  of  orchestral,  choral  and  chamber  music  programs,  al- 
ternated with  more  intimate  recital  programs  of  voice,  violin  and 
piano.  The  average  cost  per  concert  was  $19.98,  the  average  at- 
tendance, conservatively  estimated,  500  people.  More  than  1100 
musicians  contributed  their  services.  The  total  cost  of  the  47  con- 
certs was  $839.30,  including  the  rent  for  good  pianos.  The  total 
expense  of  the  Association  to  date,  including  rent,  salaries,  print- 
ing, was  $2,943.98.  The  work  of  the  Association  which  will 
have  the  most  lasting  and  greatest  general  significance  to  the 
city  is  that  in  connection  with  what  may  now  be  claimed  as  the 
establishment  of  the  so-called  'popular  concerts'  of  the  Chicago 
Symphony  Orchestra." 

The  Civics  Committee  reported  April,  1913:  During  the 
past  winter  and  up  to  the  present  time  276  houses  have  been  in- 
vestigated, including  1,045  apartments.  Two  hundred  and  four- 
teen, or  about  21  per  cent  of  these  apartments  were  in  basements 
or  cellars,  with  about  10  persons  in  the  average  basement  or  cel- 
lar. The  summary  of  complaints  of  violations  of  city  laws  found 
in  these  276  houses  is  as  follows :  To  the  Sanitary  Bureau,  294 ; 
to  the  Bureau  of  Streets  and  Alleys,  57 ;  to  the  Building  Depart- 
ment, 144;  to  owners,  30.  Early  in  the  present  calendar  year 
the  Civics  Committee  was  invited  by  the  City  Club  to  co-oper- 
ate with  that  club  in  the  preparation  of  a  housing  exhibit  to 
be  opened  to  the  public  for  two  or  three  months  during  the 
spring.  The  Committee  was  asked  to  show  as  nearly  as  could 
be  from  its  own  experience  with  city  departments,  the  adminis- 
trative cause  of  bad  housing.  The  plan  of  this  part  of  the  Com- 
mittee's exhibit  was  to  visualize  the  violations  of  the  most  im- 


316  ANNALS  OF  THE 

portant  housing  ordinances  and  to  indicate  the  prevalence  of  the 
same.  Then  by  tracing  a  typical  and  authentic  housing  com- 
plaint from  its  filing  to  its  final  disposition,  the  defects  and  de- 
lays involved  under  the  present  law  in  enforcing  a  simple  health 
ordinance  in  Chicago  were  illustrated.  The  exhibit  submitted 
by  the  Woman's  Club  has  been  a  pronounced  success. 

April  26,  1913,  the  Corresponding  Secretary  reported  that 
the  City  Council  was  appealed  to  on  five  different  subjects  dur- 
ing the  year :  The  extermination  of  the  vice  district,  concerning 
which  letters  and  resolutions  were  sent  to  104  women's  clubs  of 
Chicago,  to  the  Emerson  committee,  to  the  Mayor,  to  members 
of  the  council;  on  housing  conditions,  fire  drills,  adequate  pro- 
vision for  the  disposal  of  garbage,  the  retention  of  historic  street 
names.  Resolutions  were  sent  to  the  Illinois  State  Legislature 
regarding  better  birth  registration;  Illinois  representation  at 
the  Panama- Pacific  Exposition ;  a  consitutional  convention  as  ad- 
vocated by  the  Citizens'  Association ;  minimum  wage  bill ;  bill 
granting  suffrage  as  far  as  possible  without  constitutional  amend- 
ment. 

The  Minimum  Wage  Committee  reported  April  22,  1913: 
When  a  little  more  than  a  year  ago  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
called  a  conference,  the  first  in  Illinois,  on  the  minimum  wage, 
the  subject  was  new  to  the  general  public.  Now  we  hear  of  it 
from  all  sides.  Your  committee  does  not  claim  to  be  responsi- 
ble for  the  interest  the  question  has  aroused;  various  unfore- 
seen activities  have  contributed  largely  to  it;  but  the  fact  re- 
mains that  once  again  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  has  been  the 
pioneer;  and  has  had  a  part  in  organizing  and  directing  the  in- 
terest in  this  new  field.  We  sent  a  request  to  some  twenty-five 
clubs  asking  them  to  send  us  the  names  of  two  or  more  delegates 
to  consider  the  advisability  of  legislation.  Eighteen  responded. 
Besides  such  old  friends  as  the  Consumers  League,  the  Immi- 
grants Protective  League,  the  Juvenile  Protective  Association, 
the  Illinois  Manufacturers  Association,  the  City  Club,  the  Fed- 
eration of  Labor,  and  the  Association  of  Labor  Legislation  ap- 
pointed delegates.  At  the  conference  of  delegates,  which  took 
place  in  September,  it  was  decided  to  introduce  a  bill  creating 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  317 

a  Minimum  Wage  Commission.  Before  the  bill  could  be  drawn 
and  submitted  to  various  organizations,  we  learned  that  the  Pro- 
gressive Party  had  prepared  a  bill  along  the  lines  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts law,  and  were  going  to  introduce  it.  This  bill,  with 
certain  changes,  was  accepted  by  the  Woman's  Trade  Union 
League,  and  was  then  endorsed  by  our  committee.  It  is  this  bill 
which  was  endorsed  by  the  club.  While  we  are  glad  of  the  at- 
tention which  has  been  called  to  the  need  of  a  minimum  wage 
law,  through  the  white  slave  inquiry,  we  deplore  the  emphasis 
which  has  been  laid  on  that  one  phase  of  it.  We  feel  that  the 
women's  clubs  need  to  direct  the  attention  of  the  public  to  the 
girl  who  does  not  go  wrong.  It  is  these  girls  whom  we  wish  to 
see  represented  at  the  committee  hearings  in  Springfield,  and 
we  plan  to  use  the  rest  of  our  funds  in  paying  their  railroad 
fares. 

The  Institutions  Committee  of  the  Reform  Department  re- 
ported April  22,  1913,  that  its  plans  included  work  in  the  County 
Hospital,  County  Jail  and  police  stations.  In  the  County  Hos- 
pital an  effort  was  made  to  secure  the  appointment  of  a  house- 
keeper and  one  would  be  appointed  as  soon  as  the  civil  service 
examination  could  be  held.  In  co-operation  with  the  Illinois 
Training  School  for  Nurses,  there  was  under  way  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  permanent  conference  for  all  societies  and  individuals 
doing  volunteer  social  work  in  the  hospital.  At  the  County  Jail, 
in  co-operation  with  the  Juvenile  Protective  Association  the 
Committee  supports  a  social  worker  whose  duty  it  is  to  inter- 
view every  "juvenile  adult"  brought  into  the  jail  and  to  secure 
his  or  her  story.  The  story  is  then  thoroughly  investigated,  the 
boy's  or  girl's  previous  history  is  ascertained,  and  the  effort 
made  to  secure  such  disposition  of  the  case  as  shall  make  for 
the  permanent  good  of  the  boy  or  girl.  The  members  of  this 
committee  assist  in  readjusting  the  boys  or  girls  to  a  normal  en- 
vironment. The  subsequent  year  the  Committee  continued  the 
plan  of  work  adopted,  including  work  in  the  County  Hospital 
and  jail.  At  the  Hospital,  the  appointment  of  a  housekeeper 
under  civil  service  became  an  accomplished  fact  and  the  Com- 
mittee co-operated  with  the  Illinois  Training  School  for  Nurses 


318  ANNALS  OF  THE 

in  developing  the  social  service  department  which  had  a  staff 
of  7  workers,  who  rendered  needed  assistance  and  advice  to 
those  patients  requiring  such  service,  either  in  the  hospital  or 
in  their  homes,  special  attention  being  given  children  and  un- 
married mothers.  At  the  jail  ninety  books  had  been  added  to 
the  boys'  library  and  the  Committee  continued  to  share  with 
the  Juvenile  Protective  Association  the  support  of  a  social  serv- 
ice worker  whose  duty  is  to  investigate  the  charges  against  first 
offenders  awaiting  trial.  This  work  was  what  proved  the  need 
of  a  special  court  for  the  hearing  of  these  cases  and  bore  fruit 
in  the  creation  of  the  Boy's  Court,  a  branch  of  the  Municipal 
Court  which  opened  in  March,  1914. 

The  Mary  Thompson  Hospital  Committee  reported  many 
valuable  improvements  at  the  hospital.  Special  work  of  the 
Committee  was  towards  the  establishment  of  a  ward  for  the 
treatment  of  venereal  diseases,  first  steps  toward  which  were 
made  by  raising  funds  for  the  support  of  one  bed.  The  De- 
partment contributed  $115  and  the  Club  $100  toward  the  re- 
quired $300.  In  1914  the  Committee  reported  it  had  been  rais- 
ing funds  for  the  establishment  and  maintenance  of  a  ward  for 
the  care  of  girls  afflicted  with  venereal  diseases.  Because  of 
the  necessarily  expensive  treatment  and  isolation  demanded  in 
such  cases,  the  original  sum  desired  was  inadequate  to  meet  the 
full  expense  of  even  a  single  bed  and  as  a  small  ward  of  three 
or  four  beds  could  be  maintained  at  practically  the  same  cost 
as  a  single  bed,  the  Committee  decided  to  try  raising  the  much 
larger  sum  of  $1200.00,  the  estimated  cost  of  maintenance  for 
one  year. 

The  Reform  Department  recommended  to  the  Club  the 
creation  of  a  Club  committee  on  equal  suffrage.  While  lend- 
ing its  sympathy,  influence  and  support  to  further  the  good 
causes  that  are  brought  to  its  attention,  the  Department  aimed 
to  concentrate  its  working  forces  upon  work  of  true  initiative 
and  reform,  and  having  permanent  value.  With  the  continued 
activity  of  its  old  committees  and  the  expected  development  of 
the  new  work  recently  undertaken  for  dependent  and  delin- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  319 

quent  girls  and  for  the  creation  of  women  police,  the  Depart- 
ment looked  forward  to  the  next  year,  as  one  of  increased  and 
increasing  usefulness.  The  Department  gave  some  account  of 
the  work  it  plans  to  undertake  for  the  feeble-minded  women 
in  the  State  Home  at  Geneva.  The  Board  endorsed  these  plans. 
There  was  an  effort  to  make  admittance  to  the  State  School  for 
the  Feeble-minded  at  Lincoln,  now  called  the  State  Farm  and 
Colony,  a  matter  of  legal  commitment,  thereby  preventing  the  pa- 
tients from  being  removed  at  the  pleasure  of  their  family  or 
friends  without  regard  to  the  welfare  of  either  the  patient  or 
society. 

April  8,  1913,  the  following  resolution  was  presented  and 
unanimously  adopted  by  the  club:  Recognizing  the  great  value 
and  need  of  the  work  undertaken  by  the  National  Children's 
Bureau,  and  that  Miss  Lathrop  is  logical  and  wise  in  her  de- 
mand for  this  appropriation,  it  is  the  sense  of  this  meeting 
that  our  Secretary  be  instructed  to  write  to  Hon.  James  R.  Mann 
and  Hon.  Oscar  Underwood,  urging  them  to  bring  this  matter 
to  the  attention  of  the  House  Appropriations  Committee. 

April  22,  1914,  the  Half  Holiday  Committee  stated  that  for 
the  year  1913-14,  it  was  determined  that  the  Half  Holiday  Com- 
mittee should  merge  with  the  Consumers'  League  of  Illinois,  as 
a  non-partisan  and  disinterested  organization,  devoted  to  the 
legislative  abridgment  of  industrial  hours  and  to  stimulating  the 
public  support  and  extension  of  our  labor  laws  and  of  their  en- 
forcement. During  the  winter  of  1912-13,  from  November  until 
April,  various  attempts  were  made  by  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  and  Consumers  League  representatives  on  the  Half  Holi- 
day Committee,  to  secure  voluntary  agreements  for  Sunday  clos- 
ing. It  was  chiefly  because  of  the  representation  of  the  sub- 
ject of  the  seven  day  week  given  by  the  Half  Holiday  Commit- 
tee, that  a  public  meeting  on  the  One  Day  Rest  in  Seven  Bill 
was  held  under  the  auspices  of  the  Consumers  League  on  Feb- 
ruary 26. 

In  February,  1914,  the  Committee  on  Public  Schools  as  So- 
cial Centers  reported  that  the  Committee  had  served  in  the  Ever- 


320  ANNALS  OF  THE 

ett  School  the  past  year  and  paid  for  two  teachers  who  gave 
two  hours  a  week  each.  This  school  is  the  real  recreation  cen- 
ter of  the  neighborhood.  Three  social  evenings  were  given.  The 
work  in  the  Jones  School  takes  an  altogether  different  aspect. 
They  equipped  a  room  and  gave  an  instructor  for  indoor  ball  play 
and  also  had  charge  of  a  room  for  games. 

The  Playground  Committee  reported  in  1914:  Commit- 
tees of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  the  Woman's  City  Club  and 
the  Chicago  Political  Equality  League,  have  undertaken  a  sur- 
vey of  all  Chicago  parks  and  playgrounds  for  the  purpose  of  find- 
ing out  the  number  of  public  schools  in  the  vicinity  of  each 
playground,  the  extent  to  which  the  playgrounds  are  used,  the 
nationalities  of  people  in  the  vicinity,  the  organizations  co-oper- 
ating with  the  park  management,  the  organizations  which  do 
not  co-operate,  the  kinds  and  extent  of  social  work  well  done, 
and  the  reasons  why  the  parks  are  not  used  to  the  maximum 
capacity.  The  survey  has  not  been  completed,  but  this  much  is 
evident :  the  West  parks  have  made  the  beginning  to  employ  so- 
cial workers  and  their  policy  is  to  develop  the  social  work  in 
the  parks.  The  Lincoln  park  system  does  something  along  this 
line  but  not  so  much  as  the  West  parks,  while  the  South  Park 
Board  seems  to  get  along  without  social  workers  altogether. 
Our  conclusions  are  these:  we  should  work  for  the  consolida- 
tion of  the  thirteen  park  systems,  each  of  which  has  the  power 
to  levy  taxes,  the  appointment  of  women  on  the  park  boards, 
the  organization  of  civic  leagues  in  connection  with  every  play- 
ground, and  the  appointment  of  a  social  worker  in  each  play- 
ground to  co-operate  with  the  committees  of  the  Chicago  Wom- 
an's Club,  the  Woman's  City  Club,  and  the  Political  Equality 
League,  in  the  social  work  which  they  are  undertaking  in  the 
parks. 

The  Permanent  School  Extension  Committee  reported 
progress  April  22,  1914.  Under  the  old  name  of  Vacation 
School  Committee  it  brought  to  a  permanent  place  in  Chicago 
school  plans,  the  summer  vacation  schools;  to  this  same  set  of 
plans  the  Committee  brought  its  share  in  the  school  as  a  social 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  321 

center;  it  carried  on  the  first  open-air  school  rooms,  until  their 
management  was  taken  over  by  the  Elizabeth  McCormick  Me- 
morial Fund;  the  plan  of  having  a  social  worker  in  the  small 
parks  of  the  West  Side  was  initiated  by  this  organization.  For 
fifteen  years  the  Committee  carried  on  its  work  with  but  two 
rules  and  those  unwritten — that  no  work  should  be  begun  until 
there  was  sufficient  money  on  hand  or  pledged,  and  that  the 
Committee  should  not  raise  money  by  entertainments.  It  was 
necessary  to  incorporate.  This  had  been  done  and  the  Commit- 
tee now  had  a  permanent  membership  and  a  delegate  membership 
from  more  than  sixty  clubs  of  the  city  and  suburbs.  During  the 
last  year  the  Committee  conducted  three  penny  lunch  rooms  at 
the  Adams,  Foster  and  Washburn  schools ;  a  lunch  room  equip- 
ment had  been  standardized  and  supervised  for  the  Haines  Prac- 
tice School,  at  which  school  the  Normal  College  is  maintaining 
a  penny  lunch  room  for  an  experiment.  It  had  also  been  able 
to  make  the  food  self-supporting,  giving  the  penny's  worth  of 
food  for  the  penny.  During  last  summer  the  School  Extension 
Committee  contributed  $500  from  its  funds  and  raised  $1,800 
more  to  carry  on  Vacation  Open  Air  Schools  in  co-operation 
with  the  Board  of  Education,  the  Municipal  Sanitarium  and  the 
Chicago  Tuberculosis  Institute.  Six  schools  were  conducted 
under  the  management  of  Mrs.  L.  D.  Doty  and  a  most  efficient 
corps  of  co-workers.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  children  were  en- 
rolled; these  were  given  three  hearty  meals  per  day  at  the 
schools  and  their  carfare  paid  from  the  homes  to  and  from 
school. 

For  1913-1914  the  Corresponding  Secretary  reports  resolu- 
tions sent  as  follows :  To  the  Mayor  and  Committee  of  Railway 
Terminals,  asking  that  concessions  to  roads  be  made  on  condition 
that  they  agree  to  the  straightening  of  the  Chicago  River  from 
Van  Buren  street  south;  to  the  men's  clubs  of  Chicago  asking 
their  co-operation  with  regard  to  honest  administration  of  funds 
raised  by  taxation;  to  the  Governor  of  Illinois  and  Judges  of  the 
Circuit  Court  asking  the  appointment  of  women  on  park  boards ; 
endorsement  of  the  protest  of  the  Civil  Service  Reform  Associa- 
tion on  pending  legislation  to  upset  federal  civil  service;  to  the 


322  ANNALS  OF  THE 

West  Park  Civil  Service  Commission  to  open  examinations  to 
applicants  regardless  of  residence ;  endorsement  by  the  Board  of 
the  plan  of  the  United  Charities  to  remove  mendicancy. 

The  Club,  during  1910-1914,  took  action  upon  matters  of 
vital  interest,  some  of  which  are  cited:  A  new  parental  school 
law;  a  bill  providing  for  an  appropriation  for  one  hundred 
school  nurses,  and  that  they  be  paid  a  salary  of  $75  each  per 
month;  the  child  labor  law  without  the  amendment  relating  to 
the  employment  of  children  on  the  stage;  a  law  regulating  the 
production  and  distribution  of  food  under  sanitary  conditions; 
a  bill  regulating  the  hours  of  employment  of  women  in  any 
mechanical  establishment  or  factory  or  laundry,  hotel  or  restau- 
rant, or  telephone  or  telegraph  establishment  or  office,  or  by  an 
express  or  transportation  company,  or  as  a  park  attendant,  lim- 
iting the  hours  of  employment  to  ten  hours  a  day  or  fifty-four 
hours  a  week;  a  bill  relating  to  the  abandonment  of  wives  and 
children  whereby  the  wife  may,  under  direction  of  the  court, 
receive  the  earnings  of  the  husband  while  in  prison,  in  whole 
or  in  part ;  the  two-mill  tax  measure,  which  called  for  an  appro- 
priation for  the  State  Educational  Fund  of  $4,500,000.00;  an 
appropriation  for  the  State  University  that  shall  provide  for  the 
needed  addition  to  the  Woman's  Building,  also  the  residence 
halls  for  women  students;  a  bill  providing  for  the  purchase  of 
the  historic  Starved  Rock  region  for  a  state  park ;  a  bill  provid- 
ing for  a  medical  certificate  of  freedom  from  dangerous  and 
hereditary  diseases  before  license  to  marry  can  be  obtained  in 
Illinois.  The  Club  voted  to  send  a  letter  to  the  Legislature  urg- 
ing that  police  matrons  be  included  in  the  bill  providing  for  po- 
lice pensions.  The  Club  also  voted  to  send  a  letter  to  the  Board 
of  Pardons,  protesting  against  the  release  of  Lucy  Hagenow, 
a  condemned  murderess  by  abortion. 

In  1910,  a  fire  destroying  one  of  the  cottages  at  Geneva 
equipped  with  an  electrical  device  to  open  all  doors  at  the  same 
time,  led  the  Reform  Department  to  ask  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  to  most  earnestly  urge  the  authorities  to  place  at  once  sim- 
ilar devices  upon  all  bedroom  doors  not  already  so  equipped. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  323 

The  report  of  the  President,  Elizabeth  Bass,  April  26,  1913, 
states :  "I  wish  to  emphasize  to  you  the  advisability  of  our  hold- 
ing up  the  hands  of  the  committee  in  their  endeavor  to  have  a 
Minimum  Wage  Commission,  rather  than  to  stand  for  the  im- 
practical proposition  of  trying  to  establish  a  definite  minimum 
wage.  The  Chairman  has  pointed  out  to  you  how  futile  that 
would  be  with  our  limited  information  on  the  subject;  and  we 
should  emphasize,  especially  at  this  time  in  Chicago,  our  con- 
viction that  white  slavery  is  not  the  direct  and  inevitable  result 
of  the  low  wage.  I  wish  to  ask  your  especial  attention  to  and 
interest  in  the  work  of  our  new  Committee  on  Civic  Music. 
The  plan,  which  includes  the  establishment  of  a  series  of  free 
concerts  to  be  given  on  Sunday  afternoons  during  the  autumn 
and  winter  months  in  each  of  the  eighteen  field  houses  connected 
with  the  parks  and  playgrounds  of  the  city,  the  programs  to 
be  given  by  artists,  is  being  worked  out  by  a  strong  committee, 
including  in  its  membership  our  Music  Study  Class,  and  is  an- 
other civic  movement  in  which  our  Club  is  taking  the  initiative. 
The  housing  exhibit  at  the  City  Club,  installed  by  our  Civics 
Committee,  and  toward  the  expense  of  which  the  Club  con- 
tributed substantial  financial  aid,  deserves  special  mention.  The 
Sunday  Open  Door  Committee,  with  Mrs.  Frackelton  in  charge, 
animated  by  the  highest  ideal  of  service  to  the  lonely,  has  just 
closed  what  has  been,  perhaps,  its  most  successful  year. 

Just  as  surely  as  the  whole  woman's  club  movement  has 
swung  itself  into  line  and  step  with  twentieth  century  progress, 
so  has  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  taken  a  leading  place  in  this 
procession.  It  has  adopted  for  its  own  the  modern  watch- 
words: 'Co-operation,  Conservation  and  Efficiency,'  and  it  is 
becoming  a  very  potent  influence  in  every  thing  that  makes 
for  good  in  this  community.  Not  only  are  we  called  upon  to 
aid  every  humanitarian  and  social  movement,  but  our  aid  as  an 
effort  for  good  government  is  invoked.  As  a  direct  result,  per- 
haps, of  the  successful  issue  of  the  club  women's  work  toward 
that  end,  your  President  has  been  made  chairman  of  an  advis- 
ory committee  to  the  Board  of  Cook  County  Commissioners, 
with  the  attention  of  her  committee  especially  directed  toward 


324  ANNALS  OF  THE 

helping  make  the  County  Hospital  a  model  of  honest  and  effi- 
cient administration  and  a  great  world  opportunity  for  medical 
research. 

The  more  our  force  is  realized  and  the  oftener  our  plat- 
form is  sought,  both  for  the  promulgation  of  movements  and  for 
the  endorsement  of  proposed  legislation,  the  more  carefully 
should  we  safeguard  our  action.  Do  not  let  ours  be  a  part  of 
the  mass  of  perfunctory  club  endorsements  with  which  legis- 
lators' desks  are  swamped  and  which  are  pushed  carelessly  to 
one  side.  Rather  let  it  be  that  when  the  name  of  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  catches  the  legislator's  eye  it  will  give  him  pause, 
with  the  realization  that  it  means  the  power  of  the  impetus  of 
1200  women  united  to  one  purpose.  And  right  here  let  me  call 
especial  attention  to  the  danger  of  a  careless  endorsement  that 
grows  out  of  the  interruption  of  programs  for  so-called  emerg- 
ency action.  Not  often,  surely,  can  such  an  endorsement, 
wrested  from  a  justly  impatient  audience,  be  valuable." 

A  reception  to  the  President,  Mrs.  Bass,  was  given  in  the 
club  parlors,  October  1,  1913.  Officers  of  many  of  the  clubs 
of  the  General  Federation  and  of  the  State  Federation  were 
present.  October  8,  Prof.  Lewis  B.  Allyn,  of  the  Massachu- 
setts State  Normal  School,  addressed  the  Club  on  "Making  Im- 
pure Food  Profitable."  Representatives  were  present  from  the 
City  Health  Department,  the  Illinois  State  Food  Bureau,  and 
Food  and  Market  Committee  of  the  City  Club,  and  other  schools 
and  clubs  of  the  city,  working  in  the  general  line  of  clean  food. 

April  25,  1914,  the  Membership  Committee  reported  that 
the  card  index  of  the  members  of  the  Club  had  been  completed 
and  brought  down  to  date.  It  gives  the  names  and  addresses 
of  candidates,  names  of  proposers  and  endorsers,  and  dates  of 
procedure  of  readings,  election,  notification  of  election,  qualify- 
ing; also  facts  pertaining  to  transfers  and  resignations,  thus  en- 
abling those  desiring  such  information  to  find  out  at  once  the 
official  standing  of  any  member  of  the  Club.  This  includes 
active,  life,  non-resident  and  honorary  members.  The  Club 
numbered  1,200  members,  October,  1913.  The  total  number  of 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  325 

names  appearing  on  the  records  of  the  Club  from  1876  to  Jan- 
uary, 1914,  is  2362.    Of  these  416  resigned  and  266  died. 

The  following  paragraphs  are  taken  from  the  report  of  the 
President,  Elizabeth  Bass,  given  April  25,  1914: 

"An  international  hospitality  was  inaugurated  by  a  luncheon 
given  to  the  wives  of  delegates  attending  the  International  Navi- 
gation Congress  in  June,  1912,  and  this  was  followed  by  a  de- 
lightful luncheon  in  October,  given  by  the  Board  of  Managers 
of  the  Club  to  the  wives  and  daughters  of  the  visiting  dele- 
gates of  the  International  Congress  of  Chambers  of  Commerce, 
our  guests  being  of  a  dozen  different  nationalities,  including  al- 
most every  country  in  Europe  and  two  interesting  women  from 
India. 

The  securing  of  Chicago  as  the  meeting  place  of  the  Twelfth 
Biennial  Convention  of  the  General  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs  in  June,  1914,  will  make  a  large  call  upon  the  hospitable 
resources  of  the  Woman's  Club.  Although  all  the  clubs  of  Illi- 
nois invited  the  Biennial,  our  size,  our  location  under  the  same 
roof  with  the  Auditorium  and  other  halls  and  conference  rooms, 
together  with  the  fact  that  the  Chairman  of  the  Local  Biennial 
Board  is  your  President,  and  the  further  fact  that  many 
of  the  other  officers  and  chairmen  of  Biennial  committees,  and 
members  of  committees,  are  also  of  the  Club  membership,  make 
us  responsible  for  a  very  large  part  of  the  Biennial  arrange- 
ments. For  this  reason  the  Board  of  Managers  have  been  most 
generous  in  offering  our  rooms  and  luncheon  privileges  to  all 
of  the  Biennial  committees,  and  during  the  week  of  the  Con- 
vention every  inch  of  our  space  will  be  occupied  by  our  guests. 
Daily  luncheons  will  also  be  served  to  our  own  Board  of  Di- 
rectors, and  all  members  of  the  Local  Board  committees  and 
delegates  and  alternates  up  to  the  number  of  two  hundred  per 
day. 

Since  my  report  a  year  ago  two  Club  Committees  have  been 
added  to  our  list ;  one  is  the  Committee  on  Equal  Suffrage,  with 
representation  from  every  Department,  and  the  other  is  the 
Committee  on  Civic  Music,  which  means  music  for  the  people 


326  ANNALS  OF  THE 

at  prices  which  they  can  pay.  You  have  heard  the  first  report 
of  this  latter  Committee  and  it  is,  indeed,  inspiring.  To  give 
music  to  this  great  foreign  population  of  ours,  hungry  for  that 
vocal  expression  which  was  theirs  in  such  full  measure  in  the 
the  old  country,  is  a  movement  which  has  met  with  instant  and 
generous  support  from  musicians  and  patrons  of  music,  and 
we  are  proud  to  add  the  inception  of  this  work  to  the  long  list 
already  placed  to  the  credit  of  this  Club. 

In  June,  1913,  the  Legislature  of  Illinois  granted  the  right 
of  suffrage,  in  so  far  as  it  felt  it  had  authority  to  do  so,  to  the 
women  of  the  State.  The  inevitable  effect  of  this  has  been  to 
broaden  all  lines  of  club  activity  and  to  make  our  citizenship  a 
practical  force,  backed  by  the  power  of  these  wonderful  club 
organizations  of  ours.  The  irresistible  force  of  this  organized 
influence  was  felt  in  December,  when  a  mass  meeting  of  club 
women  and  other  citizens  packed  the  Auditorium  Theatre  and 
called  on  the  Mayor  of  Chicago  to  return  to  the  public  schools 
an  official  who  had  been  forced  out  by  questionable 
means.  The  success  of  this  effort  and  the  information  we 
acquired  in  regard  to  certain  sinister  influences  at  work  in  all 
departments  of  our  local  government,  led  to  the  formation  of 
what  is  called  the  Committee  on  Public  Affairs.  While  this 
committee  has  many  members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  on 
its  roll  and  has  so  far  held  its  meetings  in  the  club  rooms  and 
has  felt  itself  backed  by  the  influence  of  the  Club,  it  has  many 
members  of  different  women's  organizations  throughout  the 
county. 

A  recent  editorial  in  one  of  our  largest  city  papers  stated 
that  Chicago  has  more  women  of  national,  not  not  to  say  interna- 
tional, reputation  than  any  great  city  in  the  world,  and  it  goes 
on  to  say:  'These  women  and  their  organizations  are  admitted 
to  the  highest  unofficial  councils  of  the  city.  They  are  recog- 
nized more  and  more  as  among  the  chief  assets  of  the  city,  a 
constant  force  for  good  in  its  affairs.'  It  is  not  too  much  to 
claim,  either  in  our  active  or  honorary  membership,  every  woman 
who  is  thus  referred  to,  and  in  all  their  activities,  covering  as 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CUJB  327 

they  do  the  entire  field  of  human  relations,  I  believe  we  will  con- 
tinue to  hold  up  their  hands  in  enthusiastic  support,  even  though 
the  way  lead  through  yet  unthought  of  paths.  In  the  end  we 
shall  read  into  life  newer  and  finer  interpretations  of  social  and 
domestic  standards,  of  our  reciprocal  duties  as  men  and  women 
and  citizens,  and  then  will  come  protected  childhood,  free  devel- 
oped womanhood,  civic  righteousness,  and,  inevitably,  social  re- 
generation." 


328  ANNALS  OF  THE 


CHAPTER  X. 
1914-1916. 

The  invitation  to  the  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs 
to  hold  the  Twelfth  Biennial  Convention  of  the  General  Fed- 
eration of  Women's  Clubs  in  Chicago,  was  given  in  San  Fran- 
cisco in  addresses  made  by  the  President  of  the  Illinois  State 
Federation  and  the  President  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club. 
When  the  invitation  was  accepted  and  the  State  Federation  formed 
the  Local  Biennial  Board,  Mrs.  Bass  was  elected  Chairman,  Mrs. 
Frederick  K.  Tracy  first  vice-chairman,  and  the  following  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club  members  were  elected  to  its  executive  mem- 
bership: Mesdames  John  C.  Swinson,  Andrew  P.  Coon,  Willis 
K.  Wood,  Henry  Solomon,  Grace  Dixon,  George  Watkins, 
Thomas  White,  Arnold  Heap,  William  S.  Heath,  Albert  Mar- 
tin, John  D.  Sherman,  Julius  Rosenwald,  Donald  Morrill  and 
George  B.  Carpenter.  Many  other  Woman's  Club  members 
were  made  chairmen  of  the  various  committees  for  preparation, 
and  the  Woman's  Club  made  the  first  large  contribution  to  the 
finances,  giving  $1,000  from  its  treasury  to  the  Biennial  funds. 
The  Board  of  the  Club  voted  to  help  the  work  of  preparation  in 
every  possible  way,  and  to  that  end  it  threw  open  all  its  rooms 
and  its  luncheon  privileges  to  the  Biennial  committees  and  ex- 
tended those  privileges  to  the  close  of  the  Convention,  including 
in  them  the  officers  and  directors  of  the  General  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs. 

The  Woman's  Club  gave  a  large  and  brilliant  reception  to 
the  delegates  and  alternates  to  the  Biennial,  and  invited  the  vis- 
iting club  women  from  all  parts  of  the  world.  Two  million 
women  were  represented  by  their  delegates  at  this  biennial  meet- 
ing of  the  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs. 

Upon  the  request  of  many  members  of  the  Club,  that  the 
sentiment  for  peace  should  be  expressed  at  the  first  gathering 
of  the  year,  a  peace  program  was  given  October  7,  1914.  Dr. 
Thomas  E.  Greene,  of  St.  Louis,  Vice  President  of  the  Amer- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  329 

ican  Peace  Society,  spoke  on  "Who  Pays?"  Mr.  Louis  P.  Loch- 
ner,  Secretary  of  the  Chicago  Peace  Society,  made  practical  sug- 
gestions regarding  the  way  women's  energies  might  be  expended. 
An  appeal  for  the  work  of  the  Red  Cross  Society  was  read  and 
because  it  is  the  traditional  right  and  privilege  of  women  to  save 
life  and  relieve  suffering  and  because  the  need  is  increasingly 
urgent,  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  appealed  to  the  women  of 
Chicago  to  aid  the  Red  Cross  Society  as  generously  and  as 
quickly  as  possible.  The  meeting  was  adjourned  to  the  Club  par- 
lors where  a  reception  was  held  for  the  new  President  of  the 
Club,  Mrs.  Harlan  Ward  Cooley. 

October  28,  a  resolution  was  adopted  that  the  Red  Cross 
Committee  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  ask  the  Illinois  Fed- 
eration of  Women's  Clubs,  meeting  at  Springfield,  for  its  en- 
dorsement and  co-operation  for  inaugurating  this  work  through- 
out the  State,  and  its  assistance  in  obtaining  subscriptions  of 
money  for  materials  and  in  meeting  the  present  problem  of  un- 
employment throughout  the  State.  The  Philanthropy  Depart- 
ment recommended  to  the  Club  the  inauguration  of  an  emer- 
gency employment  bureau  for  women  and  girls  of  Chicago,  to  find 
employment  for  them,  and  to  work  for  the  greater  efficiency  of 
the  applicants ;  the  matter  was  left  in  the  hands  of  a  committee 
appointed  by  the  President.  One  hundred  dollars  was  voted  to 
be  given  to  the  Joint  Committee  for  Vocational  Supervision  to 
carry  on  its  work. 

November  11,  1914,  a  letter  was  read  from  Mme.  Van 
Schelle  and  also  one  from  Julia  Lathrop,  asking  that  Dr.  Caroline 
Hedger  be  sent  to  Brussels  to  assist  in  the  relief  work  there. 
It  was  voted  that  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  with  such  assis- 
tance as  it  can  secure,  assume  the  expense  necessary  for  send- 
ing Dr.  Hedger  to  Belgium.  November  18,  Katherine  A.  Jones, 
chairman  of  the  committee  appointed  to  secure  $2,000.00  to  send 
Dr.  Caroline  Hedger  to  do  relief  work  in  Belgium,  reported  that 
$1,505.00  had  already  been  contributed  for  that  purpose.  De- 
cember 16,  the  treasurer's  semi-annual  report  showed  that  the 
Belgian  Typhoid  Relief  Expedition  had  received  $2,000.00.  On 


330  ANNALS  OF  THE 

May  1,  1915,  $400.00  was  added.  Several  letters  were  read  from 
Dr.  Hedger,  telling  of  her  difficulties  in  reaching  Belgium.  April 
15,  1915,  the  President  spoke  of  the  work  of  the  Belgian  Re- 
lief, and  of  the  request  that  ten  members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  be  named  to  work  on  a  city  committee,  which  request  had 
been  complied  with. 

The  Belgian  Relief  Committee  reported  as  follows  in  April, 
1915:  "Your  committee  instructed  to  raise  $2,000.00  to  send 
Dr.  Caroline  Hedger  to  Belgium  to  do  relief  work  in  the  typhoid 
epidemic  localities,  sent  out  seventy-nine  letters  asking  assist- 
ance. Of  these  letters  fifty-seven  were  sent  by  special  delivery 
with  the  hope  that  the  special  delivery  stamp  would  call  atten- 
tion to  the  plea  as  an  emergency  measure.  The  expense  of 
these  personal  letters  was  carried  by  a  friend  of  the  move- 
ment. By  these  letters  and  through  Miss  Mary  McDowell,  by 
whom  the  request  came  to  the  Club,  $2,400  was  raised.  Dr. 
Hedger  left  Chicago  on  November  25  for  three  months,  or  at 
most  five  months'  work.  Her  letters  and  reports  show  the  noble 
service  she  is  giving  in  carrying  out  the  spirit  of  the  cause  for 
which  she  was  sent. 

Nov.  24,  1914,  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  concurred  in  the 
request  made  of  President  Wilson  by  the  envoys  of  the  women 
of  fifteen  European  countries: 

Resolved,  That  we  urge  President  Wilson  without  waiting 
for  an  invitation  to  mediate,  to  send  an  envoy  to  Europe  to  in- 
vite the  neutral  nations  of  Europe  to  send  their  envoys,  to  unite 
with  the  delegates  of  the  United  States,  in  demanding  of  the 
countries  now  at  war  that  they  declare  a  cessation  of  hostilities, 
until  the  demand  of  these  envoys  shall  be  heard — confident  that 
this  brief  armistice  will  lead  to  permanent  peace. 

A  beautiful  and  artistic  guest  book  was  made  by  Mrs. 
Frackelton.  Jewels  were  contributed  for  the  covers,  and  ex- 
presidents  of  the  Club  presented  the  clasps. 

The  plans  for  Jones  School  Center  were  reported  October 
21,  1914.  These  included  a  Christmas  marionette  performance 
given  by  Maurice  Browne  of  the  Chicago  Little  Theatre,  and 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  331 

two  entertainments  by  children  of  the  Francis  Parker  School. 
Colored  German  prints  of  Egyptian  scenes  were  given  to  the 
Jones  School  by  Elizabeth  Parker.  November  10,  1914,  $100  was 
paid  to  the  Civic  Music  Committee  from  the  contingent  fund.  The 
Reform  Department  reported  entering  upon  work  for  defective 
children  in  the  auxiliary  schools.  The  Art  and  Literature  De- 
partment reported  plans  for  children's  entertainments  for  Sat- 
urday mornings  in  the  schools  where  such  efforts  were  needed. 
The  Philanthropy  Department  reported  work  for  the  sub-nor- 
mal; that  a  teacher  had  been  secured  for  men  in  the  Bridewell, 
so  that  they  might  be  ready  to  support  themselves  when  dis- 
missed. 

November  11,  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  gave  its  approval 
to  the  unit  system  of  vocational  training,  and  to  a  resolution 
that  the  roll  of  the  Municipal  Art  Commission  should  contain 
the  name  of  at  least  one  woman  member.  November  18,  1914, 
a  special  meeting  was  called  to  respond  to  a  request  from  the 
Lieutenant  Governor  of  the  State  asking  that  thirty  members  of 
the  Club  be  appointed  to  attend  the  Woman's  Legislative  Con- 
gress convention.  The  President  was  empowered  to  appoint  the 
delegates. 

On  July  1,  1914,  the  death  of  Mrs.  Emma  B.  Corneau,  of 
Lockport,  Illinois,  occurred,  thus  depriving  the  Club  of  one  of 
its  charter  members.  Mrs.  Corneau  was  a  valued  member  of 
the  Art  and  Literature  Department.  In  1876  she,  with  others 
equally  interested,  obtained  the  charter  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club,  and  lived  to  see  it  grow  from  small  beginnings  into  a 
large  and  influential  Club. 

December  8,  1914,  the  Chairman  of  the  House  Committee 
reported  the  gift  of  two  etchings,  a  legacy  from  the  late  Kate 
Raworth  Holmes,  a  founder  of  the  Club.  Charles  Butler  Holmes 
wrote  to  the  Club  saying  that  in  case  the  effects  of  the  Club 
should  ever  be  sold,  it  would  be  well  to  know  that  a  Boston  art 
dealer  had  offered  $300.00  each  for  the  etchings  given  by  Kate 
Raworth  Holmes. 

February  9,  1915,  a  letter  from  Mrs.  John  L.  Shortall  was 
read,  offering  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  the  gift  of  a 


332  ANNALS  OF  THE 

statue  of  Puck,  by  Harriet  Hosmer.  The  Department  gave  this 
in  turn  to  the  Club  on  Shakespeare's  birthday.  The  Board  ac- 
cepted the  gift  on  behalf  of  the  Club  with  recognition  of  the 
generosity  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  and  of  Mrs. 
Shortall. 

The  Art  and  Literature  Department  appointed  a  commit- 
tee for  marking  the  Department  belongings,  with  Anna  Blanche 
Johnson  as  chairman.  This  committee  made  its  final  report  No- 
vember 16,  1914.  Miss  Johnson  reported  in  October,  1913 : 
"In  the  appointment  of  a  committee  to  mark  the  various  belong- 
ings of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department,  there  was  formed  in 
truth  a  committee  to  review  the  records  not  only  of  the 
Department,  but  also  to  delve  into  the  archives  of  the  Club. 
From  1903  the  minutes  tabulating  the  work  of  this  committee 
are  complete  and  markers  are  now  attached  to  the  Department 
purchases  and  gifts. 

The  marking  must  of  necessity  be  concise  and  at  the 
same  time  explanatory.  Our  silver  has  all  been  engraved  'Art 
and  Literature  Department'  and  the  year  of  the  purchase,  to- 
gether with  the  monogram  which  the  Department  has  designed 
for  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  It  has  no  doubt  been  a  surprise 
to  many  to  know  how  much  the  Art  and  Literature  Department 
has  added  to  the  beautiful  objects  in  our  club  rooms. 

The  gifts  to  the  Department  consist  of  the  following: 
1904,  bronze  bust  of  Shakespeare,  Mrs.  J.  C.  Shaffer ;  1908,  en- 
graving of  Shakespeare,  Mrs.  Levy  Mayer;  1909,  small  brass 
jardiniere,  Mrs.  C.  G.  Comstock;  1909,  center  piece  of  linen 
and  lace,  Mrs.  H.  C.  Willard ;  1910,  embroidered  Japanese  robe, 
Mrs.  C.  T.  Boal;  1912,  large  American  flag,  Miss  Anna 
Blanche  Johnson ;  1912,  carved  chair  made  from  one  of  the  pews 
of  Shakespeare's  church  at  Stratford-on-Avon,  Mrs.  Samuel 
Dauchy. 

On  March  9,  1906,  a  check  of  $1,000.00  was  forwarded  to 
Frederic  Clay  Bartlett,  in  payment  for  the  Mural  Decorations 
which  this  Department  commissioned  him  to  execute  for  the 
George  Rowland  Memorial  Room  at  the  McKinley  High  School. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  333 

These  were  duly  installed  and  our  members  attended  a  recep- 
tion given  in  the  schoolroom  by  the  Department  at  that  time. 
For  a  short  time  only  did  the  recipients  of  this  gift  remember 
either  the  name  of  the  giver  or  the  meanings  of  the  paintings. 
A  letter  of  inquiry,  coming  to  one  member  of  your  committee, 
resulted  in  the  appointment  of  this  present  committee  of  the 
Department.  On  receipt  of  the  response  from  Mr.  Bartlett,  en- 
closing the  formulated  text  for  the  description  of  the  paintings, 
your  representatives  sought  the  Superintendent,  Mrs.  Ella  Flagg 
Young,  and  described  to  her  our  desire  to  place  a  framed  descrip- 
tion of  the  paintings  on  the  walls  of  the  Assembly  Room  as  an  aid 
to  the  interpretation  of  the  pictures.  Our  visit  resulted 
in  an  expression  of  favor  to  our  plan — "Mark  it  by  all  means,  it 
ought  to  be  done,  and  don't  put  up  one  copy,  put  two."  Two 
illuminated  texts  have  been  made,  sealed  and  framed  in  narrow 
bands  of  copper  with  small  projections  at  top  and  bottom  to  admit 
of  their  being  screwed  to  the  wall.  They  will  be  placed  at  the 
side  of  the  two  doors  and  opposite  the  pictures  themselves.  In 
this  position  they  are  in  the  best  light  and  not  only  catch  the  eye 
of  the  visitor,  but  allow  of  ready  glancing  from  the  text  to  the 
paintings  described.  Photographs  originally  taken  by  order  of 
Mr.  Bartlett  before  the  paintings  left  his  studio,  were  purchased 
by  the  Department  at  our  suggestion.  He  has  autographed  the 
text  here  framed  with  the  photographs,  thus  making  the  whole 
of  double  value  to  the  Art  and  Literature  Department. 

We  are  filing  with  this  report  a  few  statistics  secured  from 
Caroline  S.  Wygant,  the  treasurer  and  co-worker  with  Belle 
Pratt  Magee,  who  was  chairman  of  the  committee  for  the  Mural 
Decorations,  together  with  one  of  her  letters  as  reference  in  the 
future.  The  George  Rowland  Alumni  gave  the  bronze  bust  of 
Mr.  Rowland  executed  by  Hermon  A.  MacNeil  for  $2,500.00. 

On  November  18,  1914,  Miss  Johnson  stated :  After  numer- 
ous letters  and  a  search  of  Roman  history,  we  have  succeeded  in 
acquiring  the  true  history  of  the  two  panels  of  the  settle.  It  is  not 
made  of  oak,  but  of  fine  French  walnut,  carved  during  the 
fourteenth  contury.  It  was  purchased  in  Florence,  Italy, 


334  ANNALS  OF  THE 

brought  to  Chicago,  and  bought  by  the  Art  and  Literature 
Department,  March  4,  1910.  The  "Key  to  the  Carvings," 
which  we  have  made  and  fastened  upon  the  settle,  gives  the 
full  and  authentic  explanation  of  the  scenes  on  the  panels." 

A  letter  was  sent  to  the  Finance  Committee  of  the  City 
Council,  upholding  the  establishment  of  a  house  of  shelter  for 
women  in  connection  with  the  Bridewell.  A  letter  was  written  to 
Mayor  Harrison,  asking  him  to  use  his  influence  with  the  Finance 
Committee  of  the  City  Council  to  induce  them  to  build  a  woman's 
building  in  connection  with  the  House  of  Correction,  where 
women  might  be  taught  trades  and  employments,  which  would 
make  them  able  to  take  care  for  themselves  after  their  release. 
January  6,  1915,  Rowena  M.  Abbott,  President  of  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  Coulter  House,  asked  the  Club  to  act  with  their 
Board,  in  the  event  of  the  establishment  of  a  house  of  shelter, 
in  asking  the  Mayor  to  appoint  Kate  J.  Adams  in  charge  of  the 
House. 

January  20,  1915,  the  regular  order  of  the  literary  meet- 
ings of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  gave  way  to  a  musical  after- 
noon in  charge  of  Mrs.  George  B.  Carpenter.  A  program  of  Old 
Time  Music  was  given  by  members  of  the  Club,  assisted  by  the 
Chicago  College  Club  Glee  Club. 

March  31,  Padraic  Colum  spoke  to  the  Club  on  "The  Note  of 
Resignation  in  Russian  and  Anglo-Irish  Literature."  April  21  was 
Editors'  Day,  the  subject  being  "The  New  Spirit  in  Our  Mag- 
azines." 

January  27,  1915,  the  Club  endorsed  the  bill  known  as 
the  Goodnow  bill,  regarding  the  abandonment  of  wife  and 
children,  and  a  resolution  requesting  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club  to  urge  upon  the  Board  of  Education  the  immediate 
opening  of  social  centers  in  the  schools  of  the  more  congested 
districts.  Mrs.  W.  I.  Thomas  spoke  to  the  Gub  on  the  Woman's 
Peace  Party. 

February  10,  1915,  the  Playgrounds  Committee,  in  con- 
junction with  similar  committees  of  other  organizations,  of- 
fered the  following  resolution: 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  335 

Whereas,  There  is  a  vacancy  on  the  South  Park  Board, 
owing  to  the  death  of  one  of  its  members, 

Resolved,  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  offers  the 
name  of  Mrs.  Frank  Jerome  to  fill  the  vacancy.  The  resolution 
was  adopted. 

The  program  of  the  day  was  made  up  of  the  following  re- 
ports of  the  work  of  the  Emergency  Employment  Center :  Red 
Cross  Committee,  Mrs.  Floyd  Frazier;  Emergency  Employment 
Committee,  Miss  Katherine  A.  Jones;  Emergency  Employment 
Treasurer,  Miss  Grace  E.  Temple;  Work  Room,  Mrs.  Benjamin 
Carpenter;  Employment  Center,  Mrs.  Richard  M.  Gray.  Mrs. 
Harrison  P.  Young,  Chairman  of  the  Committee,  in  closing  her 
report,  presented  from  the  Emergency  Employment  Center  a 
resolution  as  follows,  and  moved  its  adoption : 

Resolved,  That  we  ask  the  Club  to  put  itself  on  record 
as  strongly  favoring  the  establishment  of  a  Municipal  Em- 
ployment Bureau  with  a  separate  department  for  the  em- 
ployment of  women,  under  the  management  of  a  woman,  and 
that  this  department  have  an  advisory  board  composed  of 
delegates  from  the  women's  clubs  of  the  City  of  Chicago. 

February  17,  1915,  a  committee  was  appointed,  with  the 
President  as  chairman,  to  wait  upon  Peter  Reinberg,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners,  and  urge  him 
to  retain  Miss  Bartelme  in  her  present  position,  and  to  raise 
her  salary  to  $5,000. 

February  24,  1915,  the  Club  endorsed  the  movement  in- 
stituted by  the  Federal  Child  Labor  Bill,  also  the  bill  for  re- 
turning the  Andrew  Jackson  banner  to  the  State  of  Louisiana 
by  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  the  following  resolutions : 

Whereas:  The  social  work  in  the  county  institutions,  as 
conducted  by  the  Bureau  of  Public  Welfare,  is  in  harmony 
with  the  most  advanced  charity  methods  of  the  present  day, 
and 

Whereas:  The  social  service  work  as  so  conducted  has 
resulted  in  the  removal  of  scores  of  dependents  from  county 
support  and  their  return  to  normal  life,  and 


336  ANNALS  OF  THE 

Whereas:  This  return  of  county  wards  to  independence 
has  resulted  in  an  annual  saving  to  Cook  County  of  some 
$20,000.00,  and 

Whereas :  This  work  is  not  now  or  has  not  been  at  any 
time  conducted  by  any  county  department  other  than  the  Bu- 
reau of  Public  Welfare;  be  it 

Resolved :  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  this  meeting  that 
the  Bureau  of  Public  Welfare  of  Cook  County  should  be  con- 
tinued and  provision  made  for  the  extension  of  its  work  in 
accordance  with  the  requests  submitted  to  the  Finance  Com- 
mittee by  the  Director  of  the  Bureau  of  Public  Welfare. 

A  national  meeting  occurred  early  in  January  at  Wash- 
ington, and  the  Woman's  Peace  Party  came  into  being,  with 
Jane  Addams,  President.  It  was  resolved:  That  the  Chicago 
Woman's  Club  is  opposed  to  all  wars  of  aggression,  and  at 
all  times  and  under  all  circumstances  is  in  favor  of  peace 
based  upon  righteousness  and  justice. 

March  24,  1915,  the  Peace  Committee  gave  the  following 
recommendation:  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  join  the 
Woman's  Peace  Party  as  a  local  group  member  by  the  payment 
of  five  dollars. 

A  vote  of  thanks  was  sent  to  Miss  Hattie  Summerfield 
for  the  charming  children's  party  given  to  the  one  hundred 
and  seventy-five  children  in  the  Club  parlors. 

March  31,  1915,  the  Club  endorsed  a  measure  to  appoint 
a  Minimum  Wage  Commission;  also  the  recommendation  of 
Mrs.  Frank  Jerome,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Purvin  and  Mrs.  Robert 
Kohlhamer  as  members  of  the  Special  Parks  Commission, 
ten  members  to  which  will  be  appointed  by  the  incoming  Mayor. 

April  14,  1915,  the  Philosophy  and  Science  Department 
presented  a  resolution  favoring  that  a  woman  be  appointed  to 
the  Public  Library  Board.  It  was  decided  that  a  letter  be  sent  to 
Mayor  Harrison  regarding  this  appointment. 

The  Club  endorsed  the  bill  to  abolish  capital  punishment  and 
the  bill  for  State  Teachers'  Pensions. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  337 

The  following  resolution  was  endorsed  April  21 : 

Whereas,  The  community  is  threatened  with  a  strike 
which  will  add  untold  misery  to  that  which  already  exists 
from  lack  of  work,  and 

Whereas,  The  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  through  its 
Emergency  Employment  Committee,  has  come  into  intimate 
touch  with  the  suffering  resulting  from  unemployment,  there- 
fore, 

Resolved,  That  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  deplores  any 
act  which  would  increase  the  condition  of  unemployment, 
and  urges  the  contending  parties  to  arbitrate  their  differences. 

April  21,  1915,  the  Legislative  Committee  recommended 
the  State  measure  for  registration  of  births  and  deaths,  and 
the  Club  endorsed  the  bill.  The  Club  also  endorsed  the  meas- 
ure to  rehabilitate  the  State  Employment  Law.  It  was  voted 
that  the  Chicago  Home  for  Girls  should  be  placed  on  the 
Club  list  of  delegates ;  also  that  a  delegate  be  sent  to  the  Associa- 
tion of  Collegiate  Alumnae,  at  its  request,  to  serve  on  the 
board  of  volunteer  public  service. 

The  Legislative  Committee  reported  April  28,  1915,  State 
measures  endorsed  by  the  Club,  besides  those  already  men- 
tioned, as  follows: 

House  Bill  No.  104 — Child  Labor  Bill,  raising  the  age 
from  14  to  16,  and  16  to  18  years,  allowing  no  girl  under  18 
years  of  age  to  work  after  seven  o'clock  at  night,  nor  boys 
under  21  years  of  age  to  act  as  messengers  after  seven  o'clock 
at  night. 

House  Bill  No.  175 — Library  Bill,  increasing  income  of 
city  libraries. 

House  Bill  No.  135 — Teachers'  Pension  Bill,  giving  to 
teachers  outside  of  Chicago,  pensions  after  twenty-five  years 
of  service  in  public  schools.  They  may  have  taught  ten  years 
in  some  other  state,  so  that  if  they  have  taught  fifteen  here 
and  ten  in  some  other  state  they  are  entitled  to  it. 

House  Bill  No.  95 — Injunction  and  Abatement  Law.  Its 
purpose  is  to  declare  places  used  for  immoral  practices  as 


338  ANNALS  OF  THE 

public  nuisances,  and  to  provide  for  the  more  effectual  sup- 
pression of  them. 

House  Bill  No.  164 — Amendments  to  Law  on  Criminal 
Jurisprudence,  making  it  possible  to  imprison  rather  than  to 
fine  women  engaged  in  the  practice  of  prostitution. 

House  Bill  No.  404 — The  Minimum  Wage  Commission 
Bill. 

Senate  Bill  No.  192 — known  as  the  Removal  Bill — for  the 
purpose  of  removing  from  office  any  person  neglecting  to 
perform  the  duties  for  which  such  person  was  elected. 

Senate  Bill  No.  24 — known  as  the  Henderson  Bill — for 
the  purpose  of  handling  the  problem  of  the  unemployed. 

Senate  Bill  No.  254 — An  Act  for  the  relief  of  the  adult 
blind,  pensioning  men  over  21  years  of  age  and  women  over 
18  years  of  age. 

House  Bill  No.  207 — Known  as  the  Nine  Hour  Law  for 
Women. 

Senate  Bill  No.  21 — For  an  Act  in  relation  to  non-partisan 
nomination  and  election  of  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and 
County,  Circuit,  Probate  and  Municipal  Judges. 

The  members  of  the  committee  have  also  written  letters, 
and  attended  meetings  of  joint  committees  for  the  purpose  of 
gathering  information  regarding  measures  which  were  before 
us.  The  president  and  recording  secretary  of  the  Club  have 
written  letters,  when  the  case  was  urgent,  to  impress  more 
strongly  upon  chairmen  of  committees  at  Springfield  the 
attitude  of  our  Club  regarding  constructive  legislation. 

Mrs.  Watkins,  of  the  Legislative  Committee,  presented 
the  following: 

Owing  to  a  recent  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
State,  the  Bureau  of  Fire  Prevention  and  Public  Safety  may 
no  longer  enforce  Sections  47,  53  and  63  of  the  city  ordi- 
nances, and  since  the  recommendation  to  amend  the  State 
Law  should  emanate  from  the  Corporation  Counsel's  office, 
I  move  that  this  Club,  through  its  President  and  Recording 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  339 

Secretary,  ask  the  Mayor  and  Corporation  Counsel  to  take 
such  steps  as  may  be  necessary  to  again  empower  the  Bureau 
of  Fire  Protection  and  Public  Safety  to  enforce  the  rules 
under  which  it  has  operated  during  the  past  few  years  by  re- 
turning the  power  set  forth  in  said  Sections  47,  53  and  63. 

The  motion  was  carried. 

The  Chairman  of  the  Home  Department,  Marion  M. 
Lewis,  reported  April  28,  1915 :  A  woman's  club  on  its  work- 
ing side  does  live  by  the  sins  of  the  community,  sins  of  omis- 
sion and  commission.  The  Home  Department  suffers  a  little 
from  lack  of  sins  in  its  sphere  of  action.  *  *  *  *  What  I 
mean  to  say  is  that  the  club  woman's  home  is  not  seriously 
in  need  of  those  corrective  agencies,  addresses  on  food  values, 
demonstration  lectures,  discussions  of  every-day  bills  of  fare 
for  every-day  people,  but  as  a  resultant  of  many,  many  pro- 
grams in  the  now  long  past  of  club  life,  a  point  of  view  and 
a  definite  conviction  have  been  gained  that  more  and  better 
opportunities  must  be  provided  for  equipping  the  young 
home-maker  for  her  responsibilities.  The  subject  of  home- 
making  is  not  taken  seriously  enough.  The  programs  of 
the  Home  Department  the  past  year  have  emphasized  this 
seriousness  of  home-making  as  a  profession,  the  need  of  ap- 
plying scientific  methods,  which  means  careful  training,  and 
a  widespread  recognition  of  the  dignity  of  the  office.  This 
does  not  of  course  sound  startlingly  new  or  strange.  It  is 
not  so  much  a  new  kind  of  conviction  as  a  new  strength,  a 
greater  degree.  The  Club  is  not  so  much  a  place  for  study, 
for  hard  intellectual  digging,  that  kind  of  application  which 
makes  for  close  thinking  along  any  line.  It  furnishes  rather 
the  platform  where  we  may  witness  the  achievements  of  those 
who  have  labored  or  are  laboring  in  intellectual,  scientific, 
artistic,  or  any  field  of  human  endeavor.  It  is  therefore  a 
source  of  inspiration  and  of  constant  stimulus  to  do  better 
and  more  worth  while  things  ourselves,  but  even  more  to 
open  those  avenues  along  which  others  may  go  to  achieve  bet- 
ter and  more  worth  while  things. 


340  ANNALS  OF  THE 

The  Chairman  of  the  Education  Department,  Helen  G. 
Kuh,  reported:  Dr.  George  Mead,  of  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago, discussed  the  need  of  reducing  the  size  and  changing 
the  constitution  of  boards  of  education  in  the  State  of  Illi- 
nois. The  activities  of  the  Public  Schools  Committee  were 
threefold:  1st,  the  study  of  literature  on  vocational  educa- 
tion and  training;  2nd,  visiting  public  schools;  3d,  attend- 
ance at  meetings  of  the  Board  of  Education.  This  committee 
also  co-operated  with  the  committee  on  Public  Schools  as 
Social  Centers  working  at  the  Jones  School. 

Miss  Henriette  Weber,  who  took  a  prominent  part  in  the 
Sunday  evening  opera  concerts  at  the  Art  Institute,  writes :  It 
happened  quite  by  chance  that  the  plan  grew  into  something 
unique  that  by  this  time  is  known  in  many  different  cities  of  sev- 
eral different  states.  Our  foremost  singers  are  now  asking  for 
the  privilege  of  being  associated  with  these  concerts.  This  is  be- 
cause we  have  invariably  large  and  enthusiastic  audiences,  audi- 
ences that  show  discrimination  and  good  taste. 

The  concerts  have  attracted  many  strangers  in  the  city,  and 
because  of  their  enthusiasm  in  sending  programs  to  the  "home 
town,"  I  now  find  that  the  opera  concerts  are  well  known  else- 
where, and  invariably  the  question  arises:  "How  does  the  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club  do  it?" 

Elizabeth  P.  Young  reported  for  the  Philanthropy  De- 
partment :  The  Sunday  concerts  in  Fullerton  Hall  have  been 
successful,  the  attendance  fully  as  good  as  in  any  former  year ; 
the  work  will  be  continued  by  the  Department  another  year. 
High  class  music  is  furnished  to  throngs  who  would  other- 
wise be  denied  what  to  many  is  almost  as  necessary  as  food. 
The  Blue  Bird  Cottage  at  Boulder,  Colorado,  is  in  a  most 
flourishing  condition,  and  needed  but  little  financial  assistance 
from  the  Department.  A  committee,  which  has  an  enthusi- 
astic membership,  is  the  one  helping  Judge  Bartelme  in  her 
purpose  to  instruct  and  entertain  the  young  girls  who  have 
been  paroled  by  the  Juvenile  Court.  These  girls  must  report 
to  a  probation  officer,  and  it  has  formerly  been  the  custom 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  341 

for  them  to  go  to  the  City  Hall  once  a  week  for  that  purpose. 
Miss  Bartelme  and  her  friends  have  devised  a  plan  by  which 
many  of  these  girls  report  to  probation  officers  at  a  home 
which  has  been  established  for  this  purpose  near  Garfield 
Park.  A  flat  was  rented  and  a  matron  put  in  charge.  Here 
girls  may  be  sent  when  committed  by  the  court.  Their  cloth- 
ing is  washed,  mended,  and  supplemented  if  necessary,  and 
the  matron  may  give  some  practical  lessons  on  personal  clean- 
liness and  household  duties  before  the  girls  are  placed  in  do- 
mestic service.  Every  girl  is  required  to  return  to  this  home 
once  a  week,  where  she  is  met  by  the  probation  officer,  who 
is  responsible  to  the  Court  for  her  safety.  At  present  the 
committee  from  the  Philanthropy  Department  is  here  carry- 
ing on  a  class  in  shirt  waist  making  and  other  sewing,  a 
teacher  being  employed  for  the  professional  part  of  the  work, 
members  of  the  committee  to  supervise  the  work,  and  some- 
times to  tell  stories,  and  give  personal  instruction  in  such  house- 
hold niceties  as  may  be  of  advantage  to  the  girls.  This  work 
will  be  continued. 

At  a  luncheon  of  the  Philanthropy  Department  in  May, 
1914,  Miss  Jane  Addams  made  a  plea  for  assistance  in  the 
care  of  subnormal  young  people.  She  gave  a  brief  account 
of  cases  in  Judge  Olson's  court,  stating  that  a  record  had 
been  made  there,  proving  that  70  per  cent  of  the  commitments 
for  crime  were  made  where  the  offender  was  not  responsible 
and  should  be  a  charge  of  the  state,  not  a  criminal.  She  said 
the  study  of  the  subject  of  subnormals  and  their  care  was 
comparatively  new,  and  public  interest  must  be  aroused  and 
co-operation  of  people  in  authority  secured,  in  order  to  hasten 
the  day  when  subnormals  would  be  treated  with  understand- 
ing. Mrs.  Joseph  T.  Bowen  supplemented  this  appeal  and 
urged  the  Department  to  investigate  the  matter  and,  if  pos- 
sible, give  assistance.  Volunteers  were  called  for  and  a  com- 
mittee appointed.  The  work  was  begun  at  once.  The  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  visited  the  school  at  Geneva  and  the 
Bridewell,  and  during  the  hot  summer  months  many  visits 
were  made  to  the  courts  and  time  spent  in  interviewing  pub- 


342  ANNALS  OF  THE 

lie  officials.  Finally  an  appeal  to  the  Finance  Committee 
brought  an  appropriation  sufficiently  large  to  employ  a  spe- 
cially trained  teacher,  who,  with  the  enthusiastic  co-operation 
of  Mr.  Whitman,  is  separating  the  boys  in  classes,  giving  to 
each  the  kind  of  work  he  is  fitted  to  do,  and  bringing  a  happy, 
willing  service  instead  of  work  produced  by  force,  and  punish- 
ment for  non-fulfillment.  Work  along  this  line  must  be  con- 
tinued and  the  report  of  the  committee  urges  the  establish- 
ment of  a  home  for  such  delinquent  boys  and  girls  as  would 
be  a  menace  to  the  community  when  released,  after  serving 
the  sentence  imposed  by  the  court. 

Ellen  S.  Bryant  reported  for  the  Reform  Department: 
The  Department  gave  financial  and  personal  service  to  the 
Emergency  Employment  Bureau,  the  Red  Cross  work,  the 
Legal  Aid,  Immigrants  Protective  League,  Park  Ridge 
School  for  Girls,  Frederick  Douglas  Center  and  other  club  activ- 
ities. A  new  organization  is  bidding  for  the  interest  of  this  De- 
partment, to  be  known  as  the  Child  Welfare  Society.  This  society 
feels  it  has  an  urgent  mission  in  looking  after  children  between 
the  ages  of  two  and  six,  the  former  being  the  time  when  the  In- 
fant Welfare  Society  considers  its  work  ended,  and  the  latter  the 
time  when  the  child  is  under  school  supervision.  The  Depart- 
ment offered  a  suggestion  to  the  Club  as  a  whole,  that  a  request  be 
made  of  the  new  Mayor  that  police  women  be  appointed  to 
look  after  social  problems  in  the  parks. 

The  report  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  was 
presented  by  Isabel  C.  Buckingham,  as  follows:  The 
general  topic,  "The  Spirit  of  the  Times,"  gave  each  of  the 
classes  an  opportunity  to  specialize  and  present  its  particular 
point  of  view  at  the  Wednesday  meetings.  Three  breakfasts 
have  been  given  by  the  Social  Committee.  The  first  was  in 
honor  of  new  members.  The  subject  discussed  was  "The 
Necessity  of  Developing  the  Imagination  of  the  Child."  It 
bore  upon  the  especial  work  of  the  Department  for  the  win- 
ter, and  led  to  the  formation  of  a  new  committee,  "The 
Children's  Educational  Theatre  Committee."  The  next  fol- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  343 

lowed  a  lecture  by  William  A.  Tomlins  on  "A  New  Force 
in  Education,"  led  to  a  course  of  lectures  by  him  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  Department.  The  third  was  in  recognition  of  the 
poets  and  poetry,  and  followed  a  lecture  on  modern  Irish 
poetry  by  Padraic  Colum,  of  Dublin.  Miss  Monroe,  editor  of 
Poetry,  and  other  Chicago  poets  were  present  and  contributed  to 
the  program.  It  will  be  seen  that  each  of  these  social  meetings 
led  to  some  practical  accomplishment  and  fulfilled  a  double  pur- 
pose. The  fifteenth  annual  commemoration  of  the  birthday  of 
William  Shakespeare  was  celebrated  with  a  dramatic  entertain- 
ment by  the  Chicago  Theatre  Society  in  the  Fine  Arts  Theatre. 
Mr.  Cyril  Maude  was  the  guest  of  honor.  The  occasion  was 
made  particularly  memorable  by  the  presentation  to  the  Club 
of  the  beautiful  Puck,  the  work  of  a  former  distinguished 
honorary  member  of  the  Club,  Harriet  Hosmer.  The  Chil- 
dren's Educational  Theatre  Committee  has  been  able  to  plan 
some  entertainments  for  the  public  school  children  at  com- 
paratively small  cost.  The  week  before  Christmas  135  chil- 
dren from  the  Jones  School  were  taken  to  the  Francis  Parker 
School  to  see  a  nativity  play  presented.  A  program  of  short 
plays  under  the  direction  of  Miss  Irene  Skinner  was  given  in 
Central  Music  Hall  for  the  same  group  of  children.  On  Shake- 
speare's birthday  some  of  them  met  us  at  the  Shakespeare  statue, 
decorating  it  with  the  flowers  we  sent  there,  and  singing 
some  of  their  school  songs.  The  children  of  the  Franklin 
School,  faithful  for  fifteen  years  to  the  memory  of  Shake- 
speare, came  also,  and  their  singing  of  "Hark!  Hark!  the 
Lark"  pleased  the  group  which  surrounded  the  statue,  and 
surprised  one,  who  said  that  visits  to  many  countries  had 
shown  him  nothing  more  interesting  than  the  gathering  that 
day  of  youth  and  age  in  honor  of  the  great  poet. 

The  Philosophy  and  Science  Department  reported  by  its 
Chairman,  Isa  M.  Wiggin :  The  decision  of  one  year  ago  to 
use  the  small  amount  of  money  at  our  disposal  for  a  definite 
object  materialized  in  a  scholarship  for  a  woman  student  in 
the  University  of  Chicago,  who  was  making  a  specialty  in 
philosophy  or  science. 


344  ANNALS  OF  THE 

The  Library  Committee  stated  by  Mary  E.  Ahern,  Chair- 
man, that  at  the  meeting  January  6,  1915,  attention  was  called 
to  a  recent  statement  by  Prof.  Dodd,  of  the  University  of 
Chicago,  as  to  the  amount  of  valuable  historical  material  in 
the  vicinity  of  Chicago,  in  the  possession  of  private  indi- 
viduals and  difficult  of  access  to  historical  workers.  Prof. 
Dodd's  statement  of  the  value  of  the  material  seemed  so 
weighty  that  it  was  decided  to  appoint  a  committee  to  con- 
sider the  advisability  of  listing  the  material  and  its  location. 
Mrs.  Cooley  appointed  on  this  committee  Miss  Jane  Addams, 
Mrs.  H.  M.  Wilmarth,  Mrs.  William  Vaughn  Moody,  Mrs. 
John  C.  Ames,  Mrs.  Charles  Hitchcock,  and  also  consented 
to  serve  on  the  committee  herself.  Prof.  Dodd  will  be  an 
honorary  member.  At  a  meeting  of  this  committee  it  was 
voted  to  co-operate  in  this  enterprise  with  a  similar  commit- 
tee of  the  Chicago  Public  Library  Club.  This  committee 
consists  of  the  following  members"  Mrs.  C.  J.  Barr,  assist- 
ant librarian  John  Crerar  Library;  W.  N.  C.  Carleton,  Libra- 
rian Newberry  Library;  Henry  E.  Legler,  Chicago  Public 
Library,  and  J.  M.  C.  Hanson,  Assistant  Director  of  Libra- 
ries, University  of  Chicago.  A  previous  chairman  of  the  com- 
mittee presented  a  gift  to  the  committee  of  $100.  The  Club 
financed  again  the  course  in  story  telling  given  to  the  training 
class  at  the  Public  Library  by  Miss  Georgene  Faulkner.  The 
Library  Committee  endorsed  a  memorial  in  relation  to  the  proper 
equipping  of  libraries  in  the  high  schools  of  Chicago,  such  equip- 
ment not  only  to  include  books,  but  particularly  a  trained  libra- 
rian. The  cataloguing  of  the  books  in  the  library  has  been 
brought  up  to  date.  We  now  have  220  presentation  copies  in  our 
gift-library. 

The  Sunday  Open  Door  Committee  reported :  In  none 
of  the  preceding  years  have  been  heard  so  many  expressions 
of  appreciation  and  gratitude  to  the  Woman's  Club  for  its 
generous  hospitality  as  this  year,  which  has  been  so  trying  to 
men's  souls. 

The  History  Committee  reported  April  28,  1915,  by  the 
Chairman:  The  History  Committee  has  held  few  meetings 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  345 

during  the  past  season.  The  Chairman  and  Secretary  have 
read  the  Club  records  up  to  the  beginning  of  the  past  fiscal 
year,  including  some  department  records.  Although  the  work 
has  prevented  the  working  members  of  the  committee  from 
attending  many  delightful  meetings,  they  feel  amply  repaid 
through  their  study  of  the  unfolding  of  the  plan  of  the  Club's 
work.  The  history  material  is  now  complete,  as  far  as  pos- 
sible for  us  to  make  it  so,  and  is  ready  for  use,  not  includ- 
ing the  records  of  1914-15.  We  can  sympathize  deeply 
with  real  historians,  knowing  how  difficult  it  is  to  discrimi- 
nate between  the  essential  and  the  less  vital,  where  there  is 
such  a  wealth  of  material.  Fashions  change,  even  in  club 
interests,  but,  like  the  fashions,  certain  features  reappear  in 
cycles.  Among  these  features  that  constantly  recur  are  the 
matters  of  rooms  and  ventilation. 

We  have  found  valuable  material  in  the  reports  of  the 
presidents  and  in  the  annual  reports  of  other  officers,  chair- 
men and  committees.  In  its  hospitality  to  other  organiza- 
tions and  to  the  stranger  within  our  gates,  the  Club  has  con- 
tinued its  admirable  record. 

Within  the  past  year  it  has  again  given  evidence  of  the 
value  of  its  organization,  in  being  ready  to  take  practical 
steps  to  help  alleviate  needless  suffering.  'While  the  History 
Committee  was  trying  to  perform  its  imposed  task,  and  was 
reading  among  other  things  the  records  of  the  emergency 
work  of  1893-94,  the  1914-15  Red  Cross  Committee  was  work- 
ing in  the  adjoining  room,  and  the  needs  of  an  employment 
bureau  were  again  discussed. 

While  we  were  reading  reports  of  the  Biennial  of  1892, 
held  here  under  the  auspices  of  our  Club,  the  local  Biennial 
committee  of  1914  was  holding  its  meetings. 

Who  would  have  thought,  when  Susan  B.  Anthony  was 
tendered  a  reception  by  this  Club  June  27,  1888,  the  first  for- 
mal recognition  extended  to  her  by  a  woman's  club,  that 
the  upholders  of  woman's  suffrage  would  ever  form  an  over- 
whelming majority  in  our  organization,  and  suffrage  would 


346    •  ANNALS  OF  THE 

become  fashionable?  In  the  early  years  no  one  ever  spoke 
of  religion  or  suffrage  or  politics,  for  fear  of  stirring  up  strife 
and  forgetting  the  amenities.  We  have  changed  all  that. 

A  misconception  seems  to  have  arisen  as  to  the  nature 
of  the  Club's  programs.  It  has  been  stated  that  the  work  of 
the  Club  during  the  first  years  was  purely  literary.  A  glance 
at  the  topics  chosen  by  members  for  papers  and  discussions 
proves  that  from  the  start  the  emphasis  was  placed  upon  civic 
questions  and  problems  of  the  day.  Purely  literary  subjects 
were  in  the  minority.  On  January  4,  1877,  an  appeal  was 
made  to  members  in  regard  to  the  great  necessity  of  estab- 
lishing an  Industrial  Bureau,  where  those  in  charge  might 
become  responsible  for  reformed  women  until  suitable  homes 
were  found  for  them. 

Julia  Ward  Howe  read  a  paper  on  "Paternity"  at  the 
President's  house  in  1876.  In  April,  1877,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  select  names  of  women  to  be  presented  to  fill 
vacancies  about  to  occur  in  the  Board  of  Education.  "Prison 
Reform,"  "Free  Trade,"  and  "Temperance"  were  subjects  dis- 
cussed, as  well  as  "Relation  of  Women  to  Philanthropic 
Work." 

January  21,  1885 :  "In  spite  of  the  intensely  cold  weather, 
every  chair  belonging  to  the  Club  was  occupied,  except  one 
rocker,  and  there  were  present  nineteen  guests."  "Charity 
Organization"  was  the  subject.  In  the  years  1879,  1880,  1881, 
Parlor  O,  Palmer  House,  was  rented  at  $2.50  a  meeting;  the 
Club  held  only  fourteen  meetings  in  a  year.  The  study  classes 
of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department,  then  called  Commit- 
tee, were  held  in  Dr.  Stevenson's  apartments  at  the  Palmer 
House.  The  Club  numbered  105  members  in  January,  1884. 

The  Committee  has  been  asked  to  furnish  material  to 
the  family  of  Julia  Ward  Howe  for  a  memorial ;  to  a  student 
of  the  University  of  Chicago  for  a  theme;  to  a  writer  of  spe- 
cial articles  during  the  Federation  meeting,  and  others.  The 
"Public"  says  it  is  the  best  organized  body  of  women  in  the 
world.  It  has  certainly  provided  a  way  for  many  differing 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  347 

talents  to  work  out  their  salvation  and  help  the  world  along, 
each  in  its  own  way,  all  with  the  influence  and  momentum 
of  the  Club  to  back  up  these  efforts.  We  recommend  that  the 
typewritten  excerpts  which  we  have  gathered  be  bound,  as 
an  aid  to  future  committees  and  secretaries  in  looking  up 
data  in  regard  to  matters  of  record  regarding  our  own  organ- 
ization, and  that  of  others  that  had  their  inception  in  the 
Club. 

The  Civic  Music  Association  has  been  steadily  continu- 
ing and  expanding  the  work  for  which  it  is  organized.  Seven 
popular  concerts  were  given  by  the  Chicago  Symphony  Orches- 
tra, which  acknowledges  in  its  announcement  the  initiative 
and  continued  help  of  the  Civic  Music  Association  and  the  Music 
Extension  Committee  of  the  City  Club.  The  Orchestra  Associa- 
tion also  states  that  it  is  now  convinced  that  these  concerts  should 
be  continued,  and  promises  an  increase  to  ten  concerts  for  the 
next  season.  The  Association  has  during  the  present  season  given 
49  concerts,  as  against  47  last  year;  40  of  these  were  artists' 
recitals,  and  nine  local  concerts  in  which  the  Association  aided 
the  work  of  the  musical  organizations  of  the  localities.  Nine 
series  and  three  special  concerts  have  been  given  in  which  767 
artists  have  assisted,  and  in  the  local  concerts  over  six  hun- 
dred children  and  adults  have  taken  part.  About  35,000  peo- 
ple have  attended  these  concerts.  The  Civic  Music  Association 
held  its  first  spring  festival  in  the  Carter  Harrison  High  School, 
on  Sunday  afternoon,  May  23,  1915. 

The  Club  endorsed  the  bill  before  the  legislature  which 
raises  the  compulsory  school  age  to  sixteen.  For  two  years 
or  more  a  Half-Holiday  Committee  worked  valiantly  to  per- 
suade the  shops,  both  large  and  small,  to  close  for  a  half- 
holiday  during  July  and  August.  That  work  was  taken  over 
by  the  Consumers  League,  but  no  new  effort  was  made  the 
past  summer  other  than  that  of  making  a  new  survey  of  the 
shops  within  the  loop  district. 

When  the  Social  Center  work  was  given  up  in  1914 
by  the  Board  of  Education,  the  Committee  on  Public  Schools 


348  ANNALS  OF  THE 

as  Social  Centers  asked  permission  to  open  two  rooms  in  the 
Jones  School.  There,  for  a  period  of  about  eight  weeks, 
the  children  met  four  nights  weekly.  In  addition  to  games 
for  boys,  songs  were  taught,  and  both  boys  and  girls  drilled 
in  plays.  Out  of  the  work  grew  an  Alumni  Club  which  still 
continues  its  work,  meeting  in  one  of  the  field  houses  each 
week,  to  study  and  rehearse  plays.  The  young  people,  who 
are  mostly  employed  in  shops,  meet  in  this  way  under  a 
teacher,  with  excellent  results.  For  the  younger  children 
there  were  talks  with  stereopticon,  concerts  and  entertain- 
ments of  various  kinds.  Twenty  of  our  members  pledged 
themselves  to  meet  at  one  o'clock  each  second  Tuesday  for 
four  months  at  the  Jones  School.  A  room,  called  the  Room 
Beautiful,  has  been  fitted  up  with  curtains,  pictures,  tables, 
chairs,  books  and  rugs,  an  oasis  in  the  desert  of  Plymouth 
Court.  To  it  the  children  go  on  invitation,  for,  being  guests, 
they  must  bring  their  best  behavior.  Some  of  our  Club  mem- 
bers invited  groups  to  their  summer  homes  for  one  visit  dur- 
ing the  season.  A  stage  has  been  built  in  the  Assembly  Room. 
The  children  presented  the  "Queen  of  Hearts"  most  credit- 
ably. They  made  their  own  costumes,  helped  with  stage  deco- 
rations and  management,  and  worked  diligently  on  the  cush- 
ions for  the  Room  Beautiful.  With  the  co-operation  of  the 
Public  School  Art  Society,  the  first  Public  School  exhibit  of 
municipal  paintings  was  placed  in  the  Room  Beautiful,  and 
various  talks  about  the  pictures  have  been  given  and  greatly 
enjoyed.  An  exhibit  of  public  school  craft  work  has  been 
promised  when  the  civic  pictures  are  removed,  and  it  is  hoped 
to  make  the  room  a  center  of  inspiration. 

The  Committee  on  School  Extension  supplied  noon 
lunches  for  a  penny  each  in  three  public  schools — the  Adams, 
the  Washburn  and  the  Foster.  The  School  Board  voted  in 
1915  to  open  ten  new  lunch  rooms,  giving  the  management  of 
them  to  the  School  Extension  Committee.  Two  new  rooms 
for  sub-normals  or  auxiliary  rooms  at  the  Dore  School  and 
the  J.  N.  Thorpe  School  were  opened,  giving  free  mid-morn- 
ing lunches  to  this  class  of  children. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  349 

The  work  of  the  Joint  Committee  for  Vocational  Super- 
vision is  one  of  the  most  fundamental  movements  that  the 
Chicago  Woman's  Club  has  furthered.  Its  prime  aim  is  to 
assist  young  boys  and  girls  under  sixteen  years  of  age,  who 
leave  school  with  the  intention  of  entering  gainful  occupa- 
tions. The  bureau  does  not,  however,  turn  away  applicants 
over  sixteen  years  of  age.  In  every  case  the  emphasis  is 
placed  on  effort  to  return  these  children  to  the  schools  in 
the  belief  that  further  training  will  mean  later,  entrance  into 
better  and  more  profitable  work.  When  it  is  found  impossible 
to  accomplish  this  end  the  boy  or  girl  is  placed  at  work  under 
the  best  available  conditions  from  the  standpoint  of  moral 
surroundings,  sanitary  conditions  and  opportunity  for  future 
growth.  After  the  child  has  been  thus  placed  his  record  is 
followed,  and  if  a  better  position  is  found  for  him  he  is  noti- 
fied of  the  new  opening.  Reports  are  still  received  from  the 
children  first  placed  by  the  bureau.  The  desire  of  the  super- 
visors is  to  make  the  bureau  a  place  where  the  young  worker 
may  feel  free  to  come  for  advice  and  encouragement.  The  Chi- 
cago Woman's  Club  has  been  generous  in  its  support  of  vocational 
supervision,  in  the  belief  that  a  preventive  agency  means  more  in 
returns  to  the  community  than  does  a  remedial  activity. 

The  report  of  the  Emergency  Employment  Center  was 
given  by  Elizabeth  C.  Young:  "On  October  20,  1914,  Mrs. 
John  B.  Sherwood  brought  to  the  chairman  of  the  Philan- 
thropy Department  the  earnest  request  that  the  Department 
do  something  to  assist  the  unemployed  women  and  girls  in 
Chicago  to  find  employment.  She  stated  the  need  to  be  un- 
usual and  the  appeals  of  the  girls  with  whom  she  associated 
to  be  most  persistent  and  distressing.  For  seven  days  a  care- 
ful canvass  of  the  situation  was  made,  and  at  the  end  of  that 
time  the  necessity  for  immediate  action  seemed  so  imperative, 
and  the  immensity  of  the  undertaking  so  great,  that  in  the 
opinion  of  the  chairman  of  the  Philanthropy  Department  the 
interest  and  influence  of  the  whole  Club  was  necessary.  A  spe- 
cial meeting  of  the  Department  was  called  to  consider  the  advis- 
ability of  recommending  the  work  to  the  Club  at  its  next  meeting. 


350  ANNALS  OF  THE 

There  was  a  large  attendance  at  this  special  meeting,  and  a  very 
free  discussion  of  the  subject,  after  which  the  following  reso- 
lution was  unanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  Philanthropy  Department  recom- 
mends to  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  the  establishment  of 
an  emergency  employment  center,  looking  toward  greater 
efficiency  in  the  applicant,  and  that  the  President  of  the  Club 
appoint  a  committee  to  have  the  matter  in  charge. 

The  Woman's  Club  was  unanimously  in  favor  of  the  reso- 
lution, and  an  appropriation  of  $300.00  was  made  to  the  com- 
mittee. Mrs.  Cooley  appointed  the  Emergency  Employment 
Center  Committee,  and  the  work  was  no  longer  individual  or 
departmental,  but  was  the  work  of  the  Chicago  Woman's 
Club. 

One  of  the  first  things  this  new  Committee  did  was  to 
call  a  conference  of  women  from  the  established  organiza- 
tions in  the  city  devoted  to  the  employment,  welfare  work  or 
relief  of  women.  This  conference  strengthened  the  commit- 
tee in  its  determination  to  begin  in  a  small  way  and  increase 
the  scope  of  the  work  as  ability  and  financial  means  war- 
ranted. The  endorsement  of  the  State  Federation  of  Women's 
Clubs  was  secured,  and  a  letter  sent  to  250  federated  clubs 
asking  co-operation  with  the  Employment  Committee  in  rais- 
ing funds  for  the  work  and  securing  positions  for  the  unem- 
ployed, j  .  n  >  |j.  j 

Meanwhile,  in  the  Board  Room  of  the  Club,  a  Red  Cross 
Sewing  Room  had  been  established  and  was  accomplishing  a 
fair  amount  of  work,  but  as  the  call  from  the  Red  Cross  was 
urgent,  and  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  is  large  and  influen- 
tial, it  was  felt  that  both  for  service  and  example  to  other 
organizations  a  larger  number  of  garments  should  be  furnished 
than  could  be  completed  by  the  personal  efforts  of  the  members. 
The  committee  having  the  Red  Cross  work  in  hand  therefore  de- 
cided to  allow  a  part  of  the  contributions  received  for  Red  Cross 
purposes  to  go  toward  the  payment  of  needy  women  whom  the 
Employment  Committee  should  designate  as  able  to  sew  on  Red 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  351 

Cross  work,  if  a  suitable  place  could  be  found  where  such  work 
could  be  done.  Mr.  Charles  A.  Stevens  generously  donated  to 
the  Club  the  use  of  such  a  room.  The  Emergency  Employment 
Committee  therefore  began  its  work  with  the  following  assets: 
Three  hundred  dollars  from  the  Club,  the  use  of  a  room  large 
enough  for  a  sewing  room  and  an  employment  office,  a  promise  of 
co-operation  from  the  Red  Cross  Committee  in  paying  wages, 
and  strong  faith  in  the  generous  support  of  its  friends,  if 
proof  were  given  of  a  careful  and  wise  administration  of  its 
affairs. 

Plans  at  once  went  forward,  the  absolutely  necessary 
furnishings  for  the  room  were  begged  or  borrowed,  sewing 
machines  engaged,  the  service  of  a  trained  social  worker  as 
director  was  secured,  and  November  23  decided  upon  as  the 
day  work  was  to  begin. 

Up  to  this  time  no  publicity  had  been  given  to  the  work, 
but  at  this  point  one  of  the  morning  papers  surprised  every- 
body but  itself  by  printing  a  large  picture  of  the  President 
of  the  Club,  and  giving  the  date  and  opening  of  a  Free  Em- 
ployment Bureau  for  Women,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Club. 
The  result  was,  instead  of  a  dozen  applicants,  as  expected, 
a  throng  of  over  300  women,  begging  for  work,  greeted  the 
committee  at  the  opening  of  the  Employment  Center.  For- 
tunately, this  publicity  not  only  brought  a  crowd  of  appli- 
cants, but  also  a  shower  of  donations  of  money  and  gifts  of 
clothing,  and  every  possible  effort  was  made  to  secure  em- 
ployment for  such  as  could  accept  positions  requiring  them 
to  leave  their  homes.  So  many  applicants  proved  to  be  the 
sole  support  of  families  that  the  sewing  room  was  soon  filled 
to  its  utmost  capacity  with  these  unfortunate  women  whose 
fathers,  husbands  and  sons  were  out  of  employment. 

The  throng  begging  for  work  increased  as  the  weather 
became  more  severe,  and  the  rooms  that  had  seemed  so  spa- 
cious were  scarcely  large  enough  to  hold  the  crowd.  It  was 
therefore  a  great  relief  to  the  committee  when  the  Eleanor 
Association  offered  to  them  the  use  of  the  beautiful  sunny 


352  ANNALS  OF  THE 

rooms  which  they  were  vacating  in  the  Powers  Building. 
These  rooms  were  comfortably  furnished  by  the  generous 
gifts  of  several  merchants,  and  here  the  general  work  of  the 
committee  and  the  work  of  the  employment  office  has  been 
carried  on.  This  work  has  been  augmented  by  the  faithful 
services  of  volunteer  workers  from  the  Chicago  'Woman's 
Club.  Each  department  has  assumed  the  responsibility  of 
furnishing  interviewers,  directors  at  the  door,  and  investi- 
gators one  day  each  week,  and  these  services  have  been  of 
great  value  to  the  committee. 

When  the  Employment  Office  was  removed  to  the  Powers 
building,  the  sewing  room  remained  in  the  Stevens  Building 
until  the  room  was  required  for  tenants.  Again  the  generos- 
ity of  friends  supplied  the  needs  of  the  committee.  Mr.  Fred 
Upham  donated  a  room  at  529  Wabash  Avenue,  and  the  sew- 
ing room  moved  to  that  location.  Here  200  women  were 
employed — about  30  through  the  entire  five  months — the  oth- 
ers from  three  days  to  three  or  four  weeks.  These  women 
made  it  possible  to  give  the  following  record  of  garments,  the 
sewing  of  which  was  paid  for,  being  made  for  the  Visiting 
Nurses,  Infant  Welfare,  Juvenile  Home,  Children's  Aid  and  the 
Red  Cross,  the  total  output  being  over  25,000  articles,  besides  hun- 
dreds of  orders  for  hemming  and  other  kinds  of  sewing.  It  is 
quite  impossible  to  give  an  accurate  account  of  contributions  re- 
ceived during  the  five  months,  as  the  Club  women  and  many  vis- 
itors became  interested  in  our  needy  friends  and  innumerable 
cases  of  relief,  even  rehabilitation  of  whole  families,  were  effected 
and  no  record  allowed. 

During  these  strenuous  days  the  thought  of  working  for 
greater  efficiency  in  the  applicant  was  never  lost  sight  of  for 
a  day.  Hundreds  of  women  went  from  the  employment  office 
and  sewing  room  with  much  greater  ability  to  earn  a  living 
than  before  receiving  the  lessons,  experience  and  counsel  of 
the  Emergency  Center.  It  has  been  the  purpose  of  the  Com- 
mittee that  no  person  be  allowed  to  leave  our  rooms  until  she 
carried  a  greater  hope  for  the  future,  and  strength  and  cour- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  353 

age  to  meet  the  struggle  of  life.  Where  material  aid  has 
rendered  an  applicant  self-supporting,  such  aid  has  been 
given,  and  a  partial  list  of  such  assistance  might  be  inter- 
esting :  Lunch  fund,  carfare,  clothing  and  shoes  (new  and 
old),  coal  tickets,  rent  paid,  railroad  fare  paid,  home  for  young 
girls  and  jobs  for  older  ones,  glasses  fitted,  insurance  paid, 
electric  hearing  device,  money  loaned,  scholarships  obtained, 
voices  tested  for  singers,  orthopedic  shoes,  articles  taken  out 
of  pawn,  teeth  filled,  pulled,  etc.,  operations  (major  and 
minor),  drink  cure,  feet  treated,  school  books  provided,  fami- 
lies sent  to  country,  family  moved  to  better  quarters,  assisted 
in  legal  affairs,  board  and  room  provided  frequently,  in- 
numerable women  sent  to  doctors  or  to  clinics  for  care,  furni- 
ture, bedding  and  china  given,  work  secured  for  husbands 
and  sons,  children  sent  to  hospitals,  milk  and  prepared  food 
given  babies.  The  total  receipts  in  cash  were  $9,883.24.  The 
total  disbursements  to  April  28,  1915,  were  $9,532.88. 

It  would  be  impossible  for  a  group  of  earnest,  sympa- 
thetic women  to  live  five  months  in  daily  contact  with  prob- 
lems such  as  have  been  presented  to  the  Emergency  Employ- 
ment Center  without  feeling  deeply  the  need  of  many  reforms 
in  the  manner  of  dealing  with  the  unfortunate  unemployed 
women.  The  committee  suggested  three  imperative  demands 
for  consideration : 

1.  The  woman  of  middle  age  is  perhaps  the  most  hope- 
less and  helpless  of  all.    She  is  often  a  self-respecting  person 
who  has  never  asked  alms  and  feels  competent  and  physically 
able  to  earn  enough  to  meet  her  simple  needs — but  there 
seems  no  place  for  her  in  the  industrial  world.     Why  should 
not  a  workroom  be  maintained   where   such   women  may  be 
employed?     Surely    it    would    cost    little    more    than    to    send 
them  provisions  and  pay  their  rent,  as  is  done  sometimes; 
but  what  a  difference  results  for  the  recipient! 

2.  The  inefficient,  untrained  woman,  always  a  problem, 
has  been  a  greater  one  than  ever  this  year,  and  it  is  the  con- 
viction of  the  committee  that  the  Club  should  give  greater 


354  ANNALS  OF  THE 

support  to  the  vocational  supervision  in  the  public  schools, 
and  that  this  supervision  should  be  supplemented  by  further 
training  in  the  rudiments  of  home  making.  Could  there  be 
better  work  for  the  members  of  this  Club  than  preparing  girls 
and  women  to  capably  fill  the  positions  that  go  toward  the 
making  of  comfortable,  happy  homes?  Should  we  not  dig- 
nify, systematize  and  standardize  household  labor? 

3.  A  properly  conducted  free  employment  agency  is  the 
third  great  need.  The  Emergency  Committee  has  already 
inaugurated  a  movement  to  aid  the  bill  now  pending  in  the 
Legislature,  and  the  work  must  be  carried  on  to  secure  in 
the  newly  constructed  bureaus  a  department  for  women,  in 
charge  of  a  woman,  and  assisted  by  an  advisory  board  of 
women,  delegated  from  the  various  organizations  in  the  city. 

The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  has  loyally  and  sympathet- 
ically supported  the  Emergency  Committee.  The  Committee 
recommend  that  the  President  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club 
appoint  a  committee  to  carry  out  plans  for  assisting  in  the  prob- 
lem of  employment  for  women." 

April  28,  1915,  the  question  of  carrying  on  the  Red  Cross 
Sewing  Room  having  been  referred  to  the  Board,  a  new  Red 
Cross  Committee  was  appointed  to  continue  the  work,  if  money 
could  be  raised.  Mrs.  Benjamin  Carpenter  and  Miss  Temple 
were  elected  to  carry  on  the  work. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Permanent  Rooms  was 
presented  by  Anna  R.  Gross:  "Two  plans  for  rented  quarters 
were  considered  with  great  care  and  much  detail.  The  Presi- 
dent, Mrs.  Cooley,  suggested  that  perhaps  the  time  had  come 
when  the  people  of  Chicago  are  recognizing  the  importance 
and  usefulness  of  the  work  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club,  as 
it  has  been  carried  on  for  many  years,  when  we  may,  with 
considerable  confidence,  look  to  the  community  for  substan- 
tial aid  in  achieving  what  we  can  never  hope  to  achieve  alone, 
namely,  to  own  a  site  in  the  downtown  district,  and  a  build- 
ing suitable  to  our  needs,  and  those  of  other  similar  organiza- 
tions, to  be  planned,  built  and  owned  by  our  Club.  The  sug- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  355 

gestion  was  received  at  first  with  incredulity,  followed  by 
approval,  and  finally  adopted  with  enthusiasm.  Sub-commit- 
tees have  worked  out  certain  necessary  details,  the  main  is- 
sues of  the  plan  have  been  printed,  and  a  copy  mailed  to  each 
member  of  the  Club,  and  now  the  committee  presents  its  plan 
as  follows: 

1.  That  the  Club  erect  a  building  for  a  club  home. 

2.  That  with  this  end  in  view  the  Club  establish  two 
hundred  and  fifty  perpetual  memberships,   at  $1,000.00  each, 
these  to  be  offered  to  club  members  in  the  order  of  date  of 
membership,   beginning  with   the    earliest   members   of   the 
Club. 

3.  That  a  Building  Committee  be  formed  in  the  follow- 
ing manner :    A  list  of  fifty  members  shall  be  selected  by  the 
Board  of  Managers  and  mailed  to  each  member  of  the  Club, 
requesting  her  to  select  from  such  list  fifteen  names,  no  more, 
no  less,  the  fifteen  having  the  highest  number  of  votes  to 
constitute  the  Building  Committee  of  the  Club,  and  that  this 
Committee  be  authorized  to  select  a  site,  consult  architects, 
recommend  plans,  and  supervise  the  construction. 

4.  That  a  subscription  paper  be  opened  in  the  Club,  and 
each  member  be  given  the  privilege  of  contributing  to  the 
fund  for  a  club  home.     (The  Committee  wishes  to  emphasize 
the  importance  of  generous  and  hearty  support  in  the  Club 
itself  before  we  present  our  hopes  and  needs  to  the  world 
outside.) 

5.  The  Committee  further  recommends  that  if  this  plan 
is  adopted  by  the  Club,  we  retain  our  present  quarters  as  a 
club  home,  doing  our  work  with  as  small  expense  as  possible. 
This,  we  believe,  will  not  be  difficult  with  the  realization  in 
sight  of  the  hopes  and  dreams  of  a  score  of  years.    The  Com- 
mittee feels  that  when  we  shall  have  a  home  of  our  own,  with 
ample  space  for  the  Club,  Department  and  Committee  meet- 
ings, we  shall  experience  a  sense  of  freedom,  of  permanence, 
which  we  can  never  hope  for  in  rented  quarters — that  our 
usefulness  will  be  multiplied  many  times — that  around  this 


356  ANNALS  OF  THE 

civic  center  will  be  crystallized  the  active  club  life  of  the  women 
of  Chicago. 

At  the  annual  meeting  May  1,  1915,  a  new  by-law  was 
adopted:  Perpetual  memberships  may  be  acquired  by  the 
payment  of  $1,000.00.  These  memberships  shall  be  limited  to 
250  in  number,  and  shall  be  offered  to  the  members  of  the 
Club  in  the  order  of  their  admission  to  the  Club.  Details 
of  the  transfer  of  these  memberships  shall  be  in  the  hands  of 
the  Board  of  Managers. 

April  28,  1915,  Mrs.  Watkins  moved  the  endorsement  of 
the  bill  for  the  education  of  the  blind,  and  that  the  Club  stand 
for  pensions  for  the  blind  and  allow  the  Legislative  Committee 
to  work  for  the  bill.  This  was  endorsed,  as  well  as  the  nine- 
hour  bill. 

The  Corresponding  Secretary  reported:  Of  the  writing 
of  many  letters  there  is  no  end — some  of  which  must  be 
typewritten,  others  just  as  surely  not:  To  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  to  the  Governor  of  our  own  State,  a  great 
number  to  the  Lieutenant  Governor.  Letters  and  telegrams 
to  senators  and  representatives,  both  in  Washington  and 
Springfield;  letters  to  the  Mayor  of  Chicago,  letters  to  civic 
committees  and  societies,  to  protective  leagues  and  associations, 
comprehending  every  social,  civic  and  dramatic  cause,  showing 
that  the  awakening  trumpets  which  are  arousing  woman  from 
her  long  torpor  have  surely  reached  the  place  where  this  Club 
dwells.  And  then,  those  other  letters  expressing  a  word  of  pro- 
found sympathy  for  members  of  the  Club  who  are  passing 
through  the  deep  places  in  life — forty-seven  of  these  have  been 
written  this  past  year. 

The  following  paragraphs  are  taken  from  the  report  of 
the  President,  Helen  Wooster  Cooley,  May  1,  1915: 

"Because  of  years  of  training  and  important  participation 
in  the  public  functions  of  society,  our  Club  has  developed  an 
adaptability  to  the  growing  needs  and  changing  ideals  of  the 
community  and  is  ready  to  meet  any  emergency.  The  thirty- 
two  reports  of  chairmen  of  departments  and  of  standing  and 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  357 

special  committees,  to  which  it  was  our  privilege  to  listen  last 
Wednesday,  brought  under  review  the  varied  and  manifold 
work  of  the  Club.  In  them  we  found  the  full  contemporary 
expression  of  the  life  of  the  Club,  its  interests,  its  ideals,  and 
an  evidence  of  earnestness  of  purpose  and  untiring  service 
on  the  part  of  members. 

Perhaps  our  most  constructive  work  this  year  has  been 
that  done  at  the  Emergency  Employment  Center  and  in  the 
Red  Cross  'Work  Room.  The  city's  call  for  assistance  in  the 
solution  of  its  problem  of  unemployment  and  destitution  was 
urgent  and  imperious;  the  Club's  response  was  immediate, 
intelligent  and  hearty. 

One  of  the  inspirational  features  of  the  year  was  the 
reading  on  February  17,  the  thirty-ninth  birthday  of  the  Club, 
of  the  minutes  of  the  first  meeting.  We  were  convinced,  as  we 
listened,  that  the  present  vitality  of  the  Club  was  due  to  its 
vigorous  beginning.  A  great  club  must  presuppose  a  long 
period  of  conscious  unity  of  effort,  and  ideals  passionately 
cherished.  Through  graphic  excerpts  from  our  Club  record, 
read  by  Mrs.  Frank,  we  realized  that  our  attitude  today  is 
due  in  a  real  historic  sense  to  the  attitude  of  our  pioneers. 
A  club  that  can  look  back  over  four  decades  of  organized 
life  is  like  a  palimpsest,  a  parchment  that  has  been  scrawled 
over  and  over  again  by  successive  owners,  showing  the  hand- 
writing of  many  generations,  many  words  obliterated,  many 
more  illegible.  The  service  of  our  Club  History  Committee 
in  following  back  the  threads  into  this  labyrinth  of  facts  is 
only  less  difficult  than  it  is  valuable. 

No  estimate  of  the  year's  work  would  be  in  any  way 
satisfying  without  some  reference  to  the  new  opportunities 
which  have  come  to  us  with  broader  citizenship.  The  last 
thirty-nine  years,  coincident  with  the  life  of  the  Club,  have 
witnessed  a  slow  awakening  of  public  sentiment.  They  have 
witnessed  woman's  gradual  participation  in  public  affairs. 
When  the  names  of  two  women,  who  had  for  many  years 
lavished  their  best  for  the  common  good,  were  presented  at 


358  ANNALS  OF  THE 

the  fall  elections  for  positions  on  the  County  Board,  we 
planned  a  non-partisan  mass-meeting  at  the  Illinois  Theatre 
to  advance  their  cause,  not  because  they  were  women,  but 
because  we  believed  that  they  were  the  best  candidates  for  the 
position.  Our  growth  had  been  so  gradual  that  this  seemed 
the  natural,  inevitable  step  to  take.  I  record  it  as  an  interest- 
ing evidence  of  our  position  as  a  connecting  link  between  the 
old  order  and  the  new. 

It  has  been  said  often  and  in  many  ways  on  this  plat- 
form this  winter  that  in  this  hour  of  world  crisis  the  women 
of  the  world  are  the  custodians  of  civilization. 

My  cherished  dream  is  a  larger  club  home — a  home  of  our 
own  where  we  may  adequately  take  care  of  our  hard-working 
committees,  and  give  space  to  other  women's  organizations 
meeting  in  the  heart  of  the  city — a  woman's  civic  building. 
May  not  this  undertaking  for  a  new  home  of  our  own  become 
a  leverage  by  which  we  may  lift  the  Club  to  new  heights  of 
achievement  ?" 

The  Club  year  of  1915-1916  opened  with  a  reception  to 
the  President,  Helen  Wooster  Cooley.  The  meeting  of  Octo- 
ber 13  was  devoted  to  a  retrospective  view  of  the  nearly 
completed  forty  years  of  the  Club's  existence.  Besides  papers 
and  addresses  on  "The  Old  Spirit  and  the  New:  Our  Losses 
and  Our  Gains,"  there  were  messages  from  friends  at  a  dis- 
tance. 

An  Industrial  Program  was  taken  for  a  joint  study  class 
by  the  Reform,  Philanthropy,  Education  and  Home  Depart- 
ments. The  Art  and  Literature  Department  chose  the 
"Search  for  the  Spirit  of  Optimism"  as  the  subject  for  the 
literary  study  class.  The  forestry,  art,  drama,  German, 
French,  English  and  music  study  classes  reported  excellent 
programs.  The  drama  class  studied,  "The  Play,  Its  Structure 
and  Achievement";  the  French  class  offered  three  lectures  by 
Mme.  Brugnot  on  France  in  1915.  The  Home  Department  had 
as  its  general  subject:  "Development  in  the  Science  of  Home- 
making,"  to  which  14  programs  were  devoted.  The  Education 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  359 

Department  had  six  programs  on  different  phases  of  its  work, 
besides  taking  part  in  the  joint  industrial  programs.  The  Reform 
Department  had  seven  programs,  in  addition  to  the  joint  indust- 
rial programs.  The  Philosophy  and  Science  Department  studied 
the  International  Problem  and  the  Human  Problem. 

June  3,  1915,  the  Board  of  Managers  selected  fifty  mem- 
bers, from  which  list  fifteen  were  elected  for  a  Committee  on 
Building;  Miss  Grace  E.  Temple  was  made  chairman  by  the 
committee. 

October  27,  1915,  the  Legislative  Committee  reported  nine 
bills  that  had  passed  in  the  State  Senate  and  House  which  the 
Club  had  endorsed,  among  them  the  Kate  Adams  law,  the  bill 
to  return  a  banner  to  Louisiana  woman,  the  injunction  and  abate- 
ment law,  the  vital  statistics  bill,  the  relief  of  adult  blind;  the 
teachers'  pension  bill.  The  ordinance  to  license  hotels,  giving  the 
Mayor  of  Chicago  power  to  revoke  license  because  of  violations, 
was  passed  by  the  City  Council  in  1907,  as  well  as  an  ordinance 
making  the  owners  of  buildings  of  disreputable  places  liable  to 
prosecution.  The  impetus  given  and  public  sentiment  created  by 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  were  conceded  to  have  insured  the 
passage  of  this  bill,  which  has  now  been  made  a  State  law  known 
as  the  Injunction  and  Abatement  Law. 

Mrs.  Caroline  M.  Underwood  was  made  an  honorary  mem- 
ber at  the  meeting  of  October  27,  1915. 

November  10,  1915,  Dr.  Caroline  Hedger  gave  a  graphic 
account  of  her  work  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering  Belgians. 
She  spoke  with  gratitude  of  the  $5,000.00  worth  of  typhoid 
vaccine  given  her  for  her  work  by  Dr.  Mary  Lincoln,  which 
enabled  her,  with  the  help  of  the  authorities,  and  especially 
of  Dr.  Persoons  at  Willebroeck,  near  Antwerp,  practically  to 
stamp  out  typhoid  in  that  part  of  the  country.  She  read  let- 
ters of  thanks  from  Burgomaster  De  Vos  of  Antwerp,  from 
the  Belgian  government  and  from  the  Rockefeller  Founda- 
tion, and  presented  to  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  a  medal, 
given  to  her  in  appreciation  of  the  Americans  from  the  grate- 
ful Belgians.  In  addition  to  the  typhoid  relief  work  Dr.  Hedger 


360  ANNALS  OF  THE 

worked  arduously  in  the  distribution  of  materials  for  wearing  ap- 
parel and  thousands  of  garments.  Through  her  initiative  the  ac- 
cumulated mass  of  clothing  was  released  and  distributed. 

Mrs.  Charlotte  Perkins  Gilman  spoke  on  the  American- 
ization of  the  immigrant,  and  a  standing  committee  was  ordered 
to  be  formed  to  take  up  the  work.  November  28,  1915,  Anne 
Rhodes  gave  an  address  on  "Americanization  of  the  Immi- 
grant." 

The  Philanthropy  Department  contributed  $100.00  for  the 
purchase  of  materials  for  an  industrial  psychopathic  laboratory, 
and  in  November  of  1915,  in  the  rooms  of  the  Club,  the  results 
of  some  of  this  special  training  in  reed  and  raffia  work  were  ex- 
hibited, clearly  showing  that  the  effort  of  the  Philanthropy  De- 
partment in  establishing  the  first  industrial  psychopathic  labora- 
tory in  a  penal  institution  in  this  country  must  bring  results. 

November  25,  1915,  Mrs.  Pethick  Lawrence,  of  London, 
spoke  to  the  Club  on  "Women  and  War."  Mme.  Rosika  Schwim- 
mer  spoke  on  "Women  and  Peace."  The  Rev.  Mr.  Dickey, 
founder  of  the  American  Church  in  Berlin,  addressed  the  Club  in 
defense  of  Germany  and  the  Emperor. 

Mrs.  Jay,  chairman  of  the  Resolutions  Committee,  presented 
resolutions  on  the  death  of  Mrs.  Charles  Butler  Holmes.  In 
honor  of  Mrs.  Holmes,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Club,  the 
members  stood  to  receive  the  resolutions. 

Whereas,  The  members  of  the  Chicago  Woman's  Club  have 
learned  with  sorrow  of  the  death  of  one  of  their  oldest  and  most 
honored  associates,  Mrs.  Charles  Butler  Holmes,  who  entered  into 
rest  on  Thursday,  November  19.  Mrs.  Holmes  was  one  of  the 
founders  of  this  Club,  its  first  vice-president,  and  the  first  chair- 
man of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department.  While  her  interest 
centered  largely  in  her  own  Department's  work,  she  found  time 
and  pleasure  in  the  great  civic  and  reform  measures  carried  on 
by  the  Club.  Her  wise  counsel  and  good  judgment  did  much 
through  the  years  for  the  up-building  of  this  great  structure — 
the  Chicago  Woman's  Club.  She  was  a  woman  of  rare  personal- 
ity and  charm,  of  education  and  culture,  who  brought  sweetness 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  361 

and  hope  and  strength  to  her  many  friends,  both  within  and  with- 
out the  Club  borders.  She  became  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools 
of  this  city  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  later  devoting  her  talent  to 
painting.  How  beautiful  the  going  out  of  a  life  that  has  been 
full  of  beautiful  days,  crowded  with  beautiful  deeds,  and  not 
until  the  sun  was  low  in  the  sky  did  the  Great  Reaper  gather 
her  into  the  better  fold. 

Therefore  be  it  Resolved,  That  in  the  death  of  Mrs.  Charles 
Butler  Holmes  the  Club  has  sustained  a  loss  of  one  of  its  valued 
members,  and  that  her  associate  members  hereby  express  their 
sympathy  to  her  surviving  relatives,  also  that  this  action  be 
spread  upon  the  records  of  the  Club  and  a  copy  be  sent  to  her 
family. 

Grand  Opera  Day  was  celebrated  Dec.  2,  1915,  at  Orchestra 
Hall,  where  a  beautiful  program  was  given,  followed  by  a  re- 
ception in  the  Club  rooms.  Mrs.  Edward  L.  Upton  was  in 
charge  of  the  day.  Mrs.  Cooley  gave  an  address,  and  the  musi- 
cal program  was  given  by  Mmes.  Carmen  Melis,  Julia  Claussen, 
Conchita,  Supervia,  and  Messrs.  Graham  Marr,  Alfred  Mague- 
nat,  Karl  von  Cochems  and  William  Middelschulte. 

December  15,  the  program  was  given  by  the  English  Study 
Class  of  the  Art  and  Literature  Department;  Dr.  E.  H.  Lewis 
read  short  stories  and  poems  written  by  members  of  the  class. 
December  8,  Dr.  Myra  Reynolds  read  a  paper  on  "Educa- 
tion of  Women  in  the  18th  Century",  being  the  convocation  ad- 
dress given  last  spring  at  the  dedication  of  the  Ida  Noyes  Me- 
morial Hall,  and  repeated  by  special  request  of  the  President 
at  this  Club  meeting.  January  5,  1916,  Helen  M.  Hyde  gave  a 
lecture  on  "Cherry  Blossom  Day  in  Old  Japan".  January  12, 
Walter  Lippman  spoke  on  "Woman's  Sphere  in  Politics".  He 
recommended  non-partisanship  and  interest  in  local  affairs. 

January  26,  1916,  a  resolution  was  adopted  asking  the  mem- 
bers to  endorse  the  campaign  of  the  Red  Cross  Society  to  in- 
crease its  membership  and  urging  the  members  of  the  Club  to 
join  the  American  Red  Cross.  The  President  was  empowered 
to  appoint  a  committee  to  execute  the  details,  and  enlist  the 


362  ANNALS  OF  THE 

interest  and  co-operation  of  other  women's  clubs  in  Chicago  and 
vicinity.  The  Club  endorsed  the  federal  child  labor  bill,  and 
the  bill  to  establish  a  national  park  service. 

We  quote  from  the  review  of  work  accomplished,  given  in 
the  calendar  of  1886-1887,  at  the  close  of  the  first  decade  of  the 
Club's  life: 

"On  the  fifth  of  December,  1883,  a  general  discussion  took 
place  on  the  question,  'Shall  the  Club  engage  in  any  practical 
work  ?'  The  original  intention  of  its  founder,  as  expressed  in  the 
by-laws,  provided  for  practical  work.  Every  member  accepted 
with  pride  and  enthusiasm  the  sentiment:  We  are  a  working 
Club.  It  would  be  impossible  to  give  more  than  a  brief  synopsis 
of  the  lines  of  work  which  the  Club  has  accomplished  or  under- 
taken, leaving  it  to  the  memory  of  those  actively  engaged  to  sup- 
ply the  record  of  days  and  weeks  of  patient  and  persevering 
effort ;  the  obstacles  encountered  and  removed ;  the  official  boards 
and  public  functionaries  interviewed ;  the  miles  traveled  in  tours 
of  investigation ;  the  rapidly  succeeding  alternations  of  hope  and 
discouragement;  the  perplexing  questions  of  what  to  do  first, 
how  to  do  it,  and  where  to  begin.  The  first  work  of  the 
Club  was  the  organization  of  the  Women's  Physiological  In- 
stitute, in  1880,  which  provided  yearly,  free  to  all  women, 
an  admirable  course  of  12  lectures  upon  physiology  and 
hygiene.  Then  came  the  work  for  kindergartens  and  the  secur- 
ing of  the  appointment  of  night  matrons,  besides  day  matrons, 
for  the  women's  department  of  the  county  jail;  visiting  the 
jails  and  police  stations,  and  investigating  cases  of  alleged 
neglect  or  abuse  of  women  or  children;  suggesting  to  the 
proper  officials  reforms  in  management  of  such  places;  visit- 
ing and  making  a  detailed  report  to  the  Club  of  the  various 
charities  of  the  city.  The  report  on  hospitals  found  its  way 
into  public  print,  and  was  made  the  basis  of  a  sermon  by  Rev. 
Dr.  Barrows,  and  used  by  him  as  a  lever  to  move  his  denom- 
ination in  the  matter  of  establishing  the  Presbyterian  Hospital. 

Three  successive  appointments  of  a  woman  physician  to  the 
female  wards  of  the  Cook  County  Insane  Asylum  were  secured ; 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  363 

the  investigation  of  the  alleged  abuses  in  the  management  of 
that  charity ;  work  in  the  direction  of  securing  state  reformatory 
and  penal  schools  for  delinquent  children,  and  state  industrial 
schools  for  dependent  children ;  work  for  reforms  in  our 
statutes,  touching  certain  unjust  debt  laws  and  the  age  of  consent ; 
work  for  compulsory  education,  for  manual  training  in  the  public 
schools,  for  both  girls  and  boys;  for  the  introduction  of  the 
kindergarten  system  into  the  public  schools ;  the  bringing  forward 
by  the  Home  Committee  of  a  plan  for  a  training  school  for  do- 
mestics ;  a  system  in  the  spread  and  support  of  free  kindergartens 
for  poor  children ;  the  establishing  of  a  protective  agency  for 
women  and  children,  which  covered  a  large  field  in  active  philan- 
thropy, far-reaching  in  both  its  objects  and  results." 

As  a  result  of  the  compulsory  education  bill,  and  the  work 
of  our  committees  for  the  schools,  the  Truant  Aid  Committee  was 
organized  in  October,  1889;  the  name  was  changed  to  School 
Children's  Aid  Committee  in  March,  1890;  it  became  an  inde- 
pendent society  in  May,  1894.  The  first  mention  of  a  Thanks- 
giving collection  appearing  in  the  Club  records  is  in  1893. 

In  the  calendar  of  1888-1889,  there  is  also  a  review  of  the 
work  of  each  committee,  and  at  the  close  a  sketch  of  the 
Women's  League,  which  was  a  federation  of  clubs  organized  in 
the  club  rooms  at  the  call  of  the  Chicago  Women's  Club,  May 
23,  1888,  representatives  from  57  women's  organizations  meeting 
in  council.  It  was  a  "federation  for  mutual  sympathy  and  counsel 
among  all  organizations  of  women  which  have  for  their  aim  the 
improvement  of  human  conditions;  the  promotion  of  more  fra- 
ternal relations  and  better  acquaintance  with  the  aims  and 
methods  of  each;  better  facilities  for  intercommunication  upon 
subjects  of  common  interests  and  also  for  the  study  of  the  wisest 
and  most  economical  methods  of  advancing  the  various  philan- 
thropies which  the  several  societies  represent." 

The  Club  has  invariably  followed  its  endorsement  of  legisla- 
tive measures  by  action.  Especially  when  bills  for  women  and 
children  were  before  the  legislature,  the  Club  invariably  sent 
representatives  to  Springfield  to  work  for  the  bills. 


364  ANNALS  OF  THE 

February  28,  1906,  the  Chairman  of  the  Reform  Department 
asked  every  member  of  the  Club  to  consider  herself  a  hostess 
for  a  mass  meeting  March  14,  to  consider  the  urgent  need  of  a 
state  epileptic  colony.  All  the  State  Senators  and  Representa- 
tives were  invited  and  the  head  of  the  Craig  Colony  of  New 
York  came  from  the  East  and  gave  an  illustrated  lecture.  The 
cause  of  the  epileptics  was  brought  to  the  Club  in  1894  by  Dr. 
Sarah  Hackett  Stevenson. 

The  first  mass  meeting  in  the  West  on  Infant  Mortality  was 
held  in  the  Club  parlors,  April  25,  1910.  This  meeting  was  called 
by  Mrs.  Frederick  A.  Lorenz,  Vice-President  of  the  Club,  who 
was  sent  by  Mayor  Busse  to  the  first  Congress  on  Infant  Mor- 
tality held  in  New  Haven,  in  November,  1909.  The  Club  is  a 
charter  member  of  the  National  Infant  Mortality  Congress. 

The  cottages  at  Oak  Forest  for  impoverished  married 
couples,  especially  the  aged,  were  asked  for  by  our  Club.  Time 
has  proved  this  provision  most  humane,  as  the  companionship 
of  years  remains  unbroken,  lessening  the  bitterness  of  accepting 
charity. 

Today  again  there  looms  up  the  project  of  a  building  to  house 
the  Woman's  Club  and  kindred  organizations.  Many  have  been 
the  "committees  on  permanent  rooms"  appointed.  The  discussions 
of  plans  presented  in  open  meetings  served  to  educate  the  mem- 
bers in  practical  matters,  and  the  work  of  the  committees  evi- 
denced the  altruism  of  those  who  gave  much  time  and  effort  and 
wisdom  garnered  through  experience.  This  applies  to  countless 
committees  doing  work  for  the  Club  in  all  its  activities.  The 
fact  that  our  membership  is  drawn  from  the  suburbs  and  from 
all  parts  of  the  city  makes  a  central  location  imperative. 

January  29,  1916,  the  Art  and  Literature  Department  gave 
a  luncheon  at  which  the  results  of  its  work  in  the  community 
were  discussed  by  William  L.  Chenery,  Joseph  Husband,  Rev. 
Rupert  Jones,  Prof.  William  Nitze,  Jens  Jensen,  Horace  Bridges 
and  Ralph  Clarkson.  Saturday,  February  5,  John  Masefield  lec- 
tured in  Fullerton  Hall  under  the  auspices  of  the  Art  and  Lit- 
erature Department,  his  subject  being  "English  Poets."  Feb- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  365 

ruary  2,  the  President  stated  that  a  communication  had  been  re- 
ceived from  Florence  Kelly,  asking  the  Club  to  send  a  letter 
of  endorsement  of  the  appointment  of  Louis  D.  Brandeis  for 
Associate  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States 
to  our  representatives  in  Washington;  the  motion  to  urge  the 
confirmation  of  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Brandeis  was  carried. 

The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  on  February  16,  1916,  cele- 
brated its  fortieth  anniversary.  The  program,  arranged  by  Mrs. 
George  B.  Carpenter,  was  as  follows:  Introduction,  Mrs.  Har- 
lan  Ward  Cooley;  Presentation  of  Club  Chronicles,  Mrs.  Henry 
L.  Frank;  valentines  by  members  were:  1876 — February  17,  The 
First  Meeting,  Mrs.  Frank's  Valentine;  1876-1916 — Silhouettes, 
Their  Valentine ;  1884  First  Kindergarten,  Mrs.  Jerome's  Valen- 
tine ;  1893-1899— The  Juvenile  Court,  Mrs.  Harry  Hart's  Valen- 
tine; 1892-1916 — Art  Institute  Scholarship,  Miss  Grace  Dixon's 
Valentine;  1893-1916— Public  School  Art,  "The  Room  Beau- 
tiful", Jones  School;  Social  Center  Pictures,  the  gift  of  Public 
School  Art  Society,  Mrs.  John  H.  Buckingham's  Valentine; 
1893-1916 — Emergency  Centers,  Mrs.  H.  P.  Young's  Valentine; 
1913-1916— Civic  Music,  The  Children's  Valentine;  1888-1916— 
Permanent  Rooms — The  Dream,  Our  Valentine. 

In  presenting  the  volume  of  typewritten  excerpts  on  which 
the  Club  history  is  founded,  Mrs.  Frank  said : 

"The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  has  kept  the  records  of  its  ac- 
tivities during  the  forty  years  of  its  existence.  They  have  not 
been  forty  years  of  aimless  wandering  in  the  desert.  They 
have  been  years  of  steady  striving  for  the  best  in  life,  of  notable 
achievement  for  the  good  of  the  community,  combating  evil  ten- 
dencies, that  threatened  the  welfare  of  the  young  and  the  weak, 
while  helping  in  all  that  tended  to  make  our  civic  life  an  expres- 
sion of  high  ideals. 

These  records  of  our  Club  touch  life  in  all  its  phases ;  they 
show;  the  quest  for  knowledge,  the  will  to  serve,  the  good  ac- 
complished. 

Your  history  committee  has  been  delving  in  the  past,  and 
brings  to  you  this  volume  of  chronicles  of  our  forty  years, 


366  ANNALS  OF  THE 

gleaned  from  records  and  reports.  They  form  the  basis  of  the 
history  which  your  committee  is  preparing. 

This  chronicle  is  not  a  book  with  seven  seals,  anyone  of 
us  may  open  it,  and  read  therein,  and  gather  inspiration  for 
further  endeavor.  To  one  who  has  lived  through  the  events 
recorded  in  brief,  rich  memories  are  stirred  and  scenes  appear 
upon  the  screen  of  the  mind,  bringing  back  to  us  the  faces  of  the 
pioneers,  who  led  us  into  the  promised  land  of  wider  civic  life. 

Miss  Eliza  Hosmer  has  collected  photographs  of  the  found- 
ers, representing  them  in  the  prime  of  life.  Their  photographs 
will  soon  adorn  the  walls  of  our  Club  rooms.  Many  of  them 
no  longer  meet  with  us,  though  their  spirit  continues  to  inspire 
their  successors,  who  appreciate  to  the  full  the  value  of  their 
example,  the  opening  of  the  portals  of  opportunity  to  many,  the 
incentive  to  study,  the  chance  to  work  with  others,  granted  by 
the  Club  they  called  into  life. 

The  history  will  not  be  as  ponderous  a  tome  as  these  chroni- 
cles. We  have  sought  to  select  events  and  phases  that  mirror 
the  development  of  our  club-life.  There  was  naught  to  ex- 
tenuate, and  we  have  naught  set  down  in  malice. 

A  procession  of  men  and  women  appear  in  these  annals, 
whose  words  are  of  lasting  value,  whose  example  must  spur 
us  on  to  ever  greater  efforts  for  the  good  of  the  community  of 
which  we  form  a  part. 

Madam  President,  the  History  Committee  begs  you  to  ac- 
cept for  the  Club  this  token  of  their  industry,  as  well  as  of  their 
good  will.  We  value  the  honor  bestowed  upon  us  in  being 
chosen  to  render  a  service  to  this,  our  Club,  which  looks  back 
upon  forty  years  of  glorious  life." 

The  History  Committee  appointed  in  1910  consisted  of  Hen- 
riette  G.  Frank,  Amalie  Hofer  Jerome,  Alice  E.  Bates,  Lula  B. 
Carpenter,  Harriott  A.  Fox,  Fannie  J.  Howe,  Mary  E.  Lewis, 
Helen  C.  Peirce,  Jessie  C.  Shears,  Caroline  K.  Sherman,  Dr. 
Julia  Holmes  Smith,  Flora  E.  Talbot,  Lydia  A.  Coonley-Ward, 
Mary  H.  Wilmarth,  Keturah  G.  Beers,  Nellie  J.  O'Connor,  Celia 
P.  Woolley,  Louise  D.  Sherman,  Alice  S.  Tracy.  To  fill  vacan- 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  367 

cies  on  the  committee,  these  names  were  added:     Marian  B. 
Upton,  Mary  K.  Bartlett  and  Helen  W.  Cooley. 

After  the  symposium  of  October  13,  1916,  on  "The  Old 
Spirit  and  the  New ;  Our  Losses  and  Our  Gains",  the  President, 
Mrs.  Cooley,  read  the  following  pledge: 

Realizing  that  because  of  the  splendid  history  of  our  Club 
there  comes  to  us  an  unusual  opportunity  for  usefulness  and  a 
proportionate  burden  of  responsibility,  and  believing  that  our 
lives  have  derived  much  richness  and  value  from  the  opportunity 
here  offered  to  come  in  contact  with  the  great  social  forces  of 
to-day,  we  feel  that  in  this  common  experience  we  are  the  joint 
heritors  of  a  noble  estate.  In  an  endeavor  to  be  worthy  of  this 
high  heritage,  we  do  at  the  beginning  of  this  fortieth  year  of 
the  Club's  life,  dedicate  ourselves  anew  to  the  duties  and  obliga- 
tions that  attach  to  this  relationship,  and  pledge  to  our  Club, 
and  to  all  who  give  their  services  in  its  behalf,  our  continued 
love,  loyalty  and  support. 


368  ANNALS  OF  THE 

CHAPTER  XL 
FINANCIAL  CONTRIBUTIONS. 

The  Chicago  Woman's  Club  has  given  financial  aid,  as  well 
as  personal  service,  to  the  furtherance  of  civic,  cultural  and  phil- 
anthropic interests.  The  following  statement  of  gifts  from  the 
Club  as  a  whole,  and  from  the  Departments  severally,  is  taken 
from  data  in  our  records.  The  list  has  been  compiled  by  Alice 
Salisbury  Tracy.  These  figures  bear  witness  to  the  substantial 
benefits  bestowed  upon  schools,  universities  and  other  institu- 
tions of  our  commonwealth  through  the  Club  and  its  Depart- 
ments and  Committees.  From  1876  to  1890  the  members  were 
assessed  to  carry  on  the  work  undertaken  by  the  Club.  From 
1890  to  the  present  time,  1916,  the  necessary  funds  for  Depart- 
ment work  were  secured  to  the  various  Departments  by  a  system 
whereby  a  portion  of  the  annual  dues  was  assigned  to  each  De- 
partment according  to  its  membership. 

This  plan  was  supplemented  in  some  of  the  Departments  by 
generous  gifts  from  members  who  found  themselves  unable  tc 
give  personal  attention  and  effort  to  the  work  in  hand,  thereby 
enabling  these  Departments  to  expend  amounts  larger  than  would 
be  possible  from  the  sums  received  from  the  Club.  Amounts 
collected  through  the  initiative  of  the  Club  and  its  Departments, 
to  further  work  undertaken,  are  included. 

In  preparing  the  following  lists,  the  compiler  has  not 
added  the  ordinary  expenses  of  the  Club  and  Departments,  such 
as  rent,  house  expenses,  furnishings,  salaries,  etc.  The  items  in 
these  lists  were  taken  from  the  minutes  of  the  meetings  of  the 
Club  and  Departments,  and  from  the  Treasurers'  reports,  begin- 
ning in  1876  and  continuing  to  April,  1916.  If  the  totals  do  not 
fully  cover  all  the  financial  activities  of  the  Club  in  the  field  we 
have  sought  to  embrace,  it  is  due,  in  some  measure  at  least,  to 
the  fact  that  some  members  have  preferred  that  contributions 
made  by  them  should  not  be  passed  through  the  records.  Be  this 
as  it  may,  the  showing  which  the  records  permit  to  be  made  is 
one  of  which  the  members  of  the  Club  and  Departments  may 
very  well  be  proud. 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  369 


CLUB  CONTRIBUTIONS,  FROM  FEBRUARY  1876  TO 
JANUARY  1,  1916 

American  Association  for  the  Study  and  Prevention  of  In- 
fant   Mortality    $        175.00 

Anti-Cigarette    League    7.00 

Art  Committee  Illinois  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs 10.00 

Art   Fund    1,139.00 

Art    Purchasing    Committee    2,488.00 

Arts  and  Crafts  Committee,  including  Work  of  Handicraft 

Committee     274.79 

Belgian  Red  Cross  Field  Hospital   90.00 

Belgian  Typhoid  Relief  Expedition   2,392.00 

Better  Housing  Committee 100.00 

Central  Howard  Association   70.00 

Central  Woman's  Relief  Fund  for  San  Francisco 1,577.25 

San  Francisco  Woman's   Club 500.00 

Chicago  Art  Association    4.00 

Chicago  Civic   Improvement   1,250.00 

Chicago  Public  School  Art  Society 420.00 

Chicago  School   Extension   Committee,  including  Vacation 

School    Committee    1,287.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  at  Park  Ridge  School  for 

Girls    12,395.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  Furnishings 1,023.70 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Dormitory,  University  of  Chicago  200,000.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Emergency  Employment  Center..  9,883.24 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Kindergarten  Work 780.60 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Red  Cross  Emergency  Center....  832.65 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Red  Cross  Work  Room,  1915 4,055.23 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Work  Room  (1893) 25,000.00 

Children's  Day  Expenses  and  Christmas  Festival 55.50 

Children's    Hospital    Society 40.00 

Child    Study   League    10.00 

Civic   Music  Association    405.74 

Civics   Committee    1,291.00 

Civil   Service   Reform    Committee,   and   I.    F.   W.   C.   Civil 

Service  Reform  Committee   264.00 

City  Garden   Association    105.00 

City  Ordinances  Committee  of  Reform  Department 424.25 

Defense  of  Unit  System  of  Vocational  Training 25.00 

Egyptian    Research    Cabinet    45.00 

Emergency  Committee   Federation  of  Peace   Forces 139.50 

Endowment  Fund  General  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs.  610.65 

Enforcement  of  Ten  Hours  for  Women  Committee 90.00 

Entertainment   (1883   to   1890)    1,453.61 

Equal    Suffrage 457.00 

Excursions    (1883)     8.48 

Finnish    Benefits    685.25 

Frederick   Douglas    Center    135.00 

Friendly    Aid    Society    860.25 

Glenwood    School    for    Boys— $40,000.00   to    General    Fund, 
$10,000.00  for  Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage,  $200.00 

for  Library  (the  Club  received  $35,000.00  in  stock) . . .  50,200.00 


370  ANNALS  OF  THE 


Half    Holiday    Committee 498.06 

Hubbard   Bird   Day    10.00 

Hull  House,  Coffee  House  and  Work. 184.37 

Illinois  Children's  Home  and  Aid  Society 50.00 

Illinois    Consumers'   League    25.00 

Illinois    Improvement    Association 5.00 

Illinois    Industrial   School   for   Boys 101.50 

Illinois   Industrial   School   for   Girls   at   Evanston,   and   in- 
cluding Park  Ridge  School  for  Girls 848.70 

Industrial    Congress    and    Conferences 399.90 

Industrial  Art  Association    1,413.00 

Infant   Welfare    Society   and    League 225.00 

International    Institute    League    of   Spain 10.00 

Jail    School 745.00 

Joint   Committee   on   Vocational   Training    1,167.65 

Juvenile    Court    Committee,    including    Probation    Officers' 

Salaries     404.00 

Juvenile    Protective    League 375.00 

Kitchen   Garden  Association    410.00 

Lectures,  and  Woman's  Suffrage  Law 1,150.84 

Legislative    Committees     426.42 

Legislative   Congress    25.00 

Library  Committee,  including  Story-Telling,  Traveling  Li- 
brary  and    Books    1,119.15 

Lincoln   Jubilee 100.00 

Local  Biennial  Board  of  General  Federation  of  Women's 

Clubs    1,000.00 

Maria    Mitchell    Endowment    Fund 1,140.00 

Mary  Washington  Fund   59.85 

Mary  Thompson  Hospital  for  Women  and  Children,  and 

care   of   Wards   in    Hospital 275.00 

Memorial   Public   Fountain    5.00 

Minimum   Wage    Conference    164.00 

Municipal    Art    League,    including    Exhibition    Committee 

Work    715.00 

Municipal    Suffrage 126.25 

National    Child    Labor    Committee 202.50 

National  Conference  of  Charities  and  Corrections 200.00 

Neighborhood  House  Center  Committee 275.00 

Northwestern    Library    Association 13.60 

Physicians'    Institute    9.00 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  and  Legal  Aid 

Society    554.00 

Public  Affairs  Committee  100.00 

Public  School  Social  Centers 312.60 

Receptions   (1878  to   1892) 291.00 

Reform  Department  Investigating  Committee  on  Jail  Adult 

Cases    200.00 

Relief  and  Aid  Society   80.10 

Sane  Fourth  Association    50.00 

Sarah  H.  Stevenson  Memorial  Lodging  House,  and  Model 

Lodging  House  Association  Work  690.00 

Scholarships    50.00 

Scholarships    and    Scholarship    Fund    for    Pupils    in    Public 

Schools    463.00 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  371 


School  Children's  Aid  Society   1,821.00 

School  of  Domestic  Arts  and  Science 190.00 

Social  Hygiene   Committee   266.88 

Sunday  Lecture  Course  668.33 

Sunday  Open  Door  Committee   3,364.07 

Tuberculosis  Camps   1,800.00 

United  Study  Class  187.00 

Vassar  Alumnae  Association   65.00 

Woman's  League  (1889)   5.00 

World's  Fair  Emergency  Committee    4,144.26 

$352,240.72 

Portion  of  above  amount  appearing  in  tables  under  De- 
partment headings  (Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  at 
Park  Ridge  School  for  Girls) 9,940.62 

$342,300.10 
HOME  DEPARTMENT. 

Chicago   Commons    $       5.00 

Chicago    School    Extension    Committee,    including    Vacation 

School   Committee    988.00 

Chicago  Woman's   Club   Cottage  at  Park  Ridge  School  for 

Girls    376.00 

Chicago   Woman's   Club   Cottage  at  Tuskegee 35.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Kindergarten   87.50 

Clean  Food  Committee  5.00 

Flower   Mission    160.00 

Frederick  Douglas  Center  30.00 

Industrial  Association    35.00 

Joint  Committee  for  Vocational  Training 62.00 

Kitchen  Garden  Association 82.00 

Lectures    130.00 

Library  Committee,  Traveling  Libraries,  and  160  Books  sent 

to  the  Philippines   175.00 

Maternity  Hospital   50.00 

Neighborhood  House  Center   97.00 

Old  Ladies'  Fund   50.00 

Park  Ridge  School  for  Girls 10.00 

Probation  Officer  10.00 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  and  Legal  Aid 

Society    1,875.00 

Public    Drinking    Fountain    15.00 

Purcell  Library   25.00 

Sarah   H.   Stevenson   Memorial   Lodging   House,  and   Model 

Lodging  House  Association   v 205.00 

Scholarships  for  Wards    50.00 

School  Children's  Aid   330.00 

School  of  Domestic  Arts  and  Science  205.00 

Summer  School    100.00 

Training  School  for  Maids 312.00 

World's  Fair  Emergency  Sewing  Room   411.00 

Dues  for  Representatives  in  Organizations  Mentioned  in  List 

Above    86.00 

$6,011.50 


372  ANNALS  OF  THE 


EDUCATION  DEPARTMENT. 

Bible  Study  Class $  30.00 

Chicago  School  Extension  Committee,  including  Vacation 

School  Committee  2,541.57 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Civics  Committee 20.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  at  Park  Ridge  School  for 

Girls  542.00 

Child  Study  10.00 

Defective  Children's  Teacher  20.00 

Entertainment  National  Education  Association 200.00 

Frederick  Douglas  Center  25.00 

Hinman  School  (Kentucky,  W.  C.  T.  U.) 15.00 

Illinois  Congress  of  Mothers,  and  Delegates'  Dues 76.00 

Jail  School  400.00 

Juvenile  Court  Committee,  Parental  School  35.00 

Legislative  Committee  130.00 

Library  Committee,  Books  and  Traveling  Libraries 146.00 

Mural  Decorations  in  Albert  G.  Lane  School 300.00 

Park  Ridge  School  for  Girls 50.00 

Pictures  in  Public  Schools  12.45 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  and  Legal  Aid 

Society  765.05 

Public  School  Art  Society  930.00 

Public  School  Social  Centers  50.00 

Public  School  Scholarship  Fund 771.00 

School  of  Domestic  Arts  and  Science 80.00 

Tuskegee  Cottage  and  Kindergarten 35.00 

Woman's  Outdoor  Art  League  40.00 

$7,224.07 

PHILANTHROPY  DEPARTMENT. 

Alice   E.   Bates   Circle  and   Social   Purity    $     56.50 

Batavia  Home  for  Girls 14.00 

Blue  Bird  Cottage  $   332.25 

Blue  Bird  Nest  500.00 

Avalon   Cottage    1,067.72 

Holiday  Home    275.00 

2,174.97 

Book  Socials   33.58 

Bridewell  Girls'  Home  491.82 

Bureau  of  Charities    6.00 

Central     Eleanor     Association     (including     seven     pictures 

$25.00)  84.00 

Central  Howard  Association  55.00 

Chicago  Refuge  for  Girls  25.00 

Chicago  Rescue  and  Maternity  Home 35.00 

Chicago  School  Extension  Committee,  including  Vacation 

School  Committee  1,154.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  at  Park  Ridge 

School  for  Girls  $1,977.00 

Furnishings    174.00 

2,151.00 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  373 


Chicago  Woman's  Club  Emergency  Center 25.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Outdoor  Art   League   87.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club,  Tuskegee   Cottage 52.51 

Children's    Concert    5.00 

Civics  Committee  275.00 

Civil  Service  Committee   45.00 

Defective  Children,  including  Salary  of  Teacher 70.00 

Epileptic  Colony   4.42 

Equal   Suffrage    60.00 

Esther   Falkenstein   Settlement    240.00 

Evergreen  Home   10.00 

Flower    Mission    135.00 

Foster  School  Shoe  Cobbling 30.00 

Frederick  Douglas   Center    216.00 

Glenwood   School   for   Boys    7,074.00 

Hinman  School   (Kentucky.  W.   C.  T.  U.)    110.00 

Home  Teaching  of  Adult   Blind — 

From  Department   $3,521.91 

From  Club   1,015.00 

Christian   Record   75.00 

Sales  of  Department  of  Blind,  at  Rothschild's, 
in  charge  of  Philanthropic  Department....  2,497.28 

7,109.19 

Housing  Committee   50.00 

Immigrants   Protective   League    440.00 

Institutional  Church  Kindergarten   5.00 

Joint  Committee  on  Vocational  Training 222.00 

Juvenile   Court  Committee,   including  Probation   Officers' 

Salaries    1,120.00 

Juvenile  Protective  League 950.00 

Lectures    81.70 

Legislative    Committee    12.50 

Library  Committee   167.00 

Mary  Thompson  Hospital   25.00 

Miss  Julia  Lathrop's  Book 97.40 

Parental    School    1.50 

Park   Ridge   School   for   Girls    175.00 

Penny  Savings   Bank   9.00 

Phyllis    Wheatley    Home     100.00 

Prisoners'    Friend    90.00 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  and  Legal  Aid 

Society    3,483.00 

Public  School  Social  Centers  (also  lunches  served  for  three 

months  in  Schiller  School) 110.00 

Sarah  H.  Stevenson  Memorial  Lodging  House,  and  Model 

Lodging    House    Association 55.00 

School  Children's  Aid 145.00 

School  of  Domestic  Arts  and  Science 155.00 

Social  Hygiene   437.57 

Social  Settlement  Committee   5.00 

Special  Charity  Fund   208.79 

Sunday   Open   Door    53.00 

Sunday   Orchestra    Concerts    2,234.80 

Travelers'  Aid  Home   50.00 


374  ANNALS  OF  THE 


Tuberculosis  Camp   25.00 

University  Settlement  and  Playgrounds  161.90 

Vacation  Savings  Fund   . . 25.00 

Psychopathic    Work    50.00 

Dues    for    Representatives    in    Organizations    Mentioned    in 

List  Above    66.00 


$32,640.15 
REFORM  DEPARTMENT. 

Anti-Cruelty  Society $  12.00 

Chicago  School  Extension  Committee,  including  Vacation 

School  Committee  976.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  at  Park  Ridge  School  for 

Girls 2,689.26 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  Furnishings  911.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Outdoor  Art  League  Bungalow 5.25 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Red  Cross  Emergency  Center 20.00 

Child  Conservation  Committee 10.00 

Children's  Hospital  Society,  including  Milk  Commission....  60.00 

City  Ordinances  Committee  782.53 

Civic  Committee  of  Chicago  Woman's  Club  397.15 

Civic  Music  10.00 

Civil  Service  Committee  272.53 

County  Institutions  Committee,  including  Salary  of  Teacher, 

and  Reading  Matter  2,005.00 

Drama  League  of  America 2.00 

Ellen  Wilson  Memorial  Room  10.00 

Equal  Suffrage  Committee  115.00 

Flower  Mission 80.00 

Frederick  Douglas  Center  40.00 

Free  Kindergarten  15.00 

Gad's  Hill  Settlement  Playground  25.00 

Housing  Committee  50.00 

Illinois  Children's  Home  and  Aid  Society 25.00 

Illinois  Consumers'  League T .  5.00 

Immigrants  Protective  League  295.00 

Industrial  Progress  : 90.00 

Infant  Welfare  135.00 

Investigation  of  Illinois  Industrial  School  at  Evanston. . . ..  50.00 

Investigation  of  Midwifery  of  Chicago  50.00 

Investigation  of  Shopping  Conditions 30.00 

Jail  School,  including  Prison  Reform  Work,  and  Teachers' 

Salary 904.63 

Joint  Committee  on  Vocational  Training  62.00 

Juvenile  Court  Committee,  including  Probation  Officers' 

Salaries,    Parental    School,    and    Juvenile    Court    Girls' 

Apartments  1,614.62 

Juvenile  Protective  League 170.00 

Lectures  178.00 

Legislative  Committee  56.87 

Library  Committee  (one  Traveling  Library  and  25  Books) .  180.00 

Kitchen  Garden  Association  (1899) 200.00 

Mary  Thompson  Hospital,  and  Bed  for  Wards  of  Club 283.50 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  375 


Mass  Meeting  50.00 

Minimum  Wage  for  Women  100.00 

Municipal  Suffrage  60.00 

Park  Ridge  School  for  Girls  865.56 

Penny  Lunches  15.00 

Penny  Savings  Bank  40.00 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  and  Legal  Aid 

Society 2,088.00 

Public  Affairs  Committee  25.00 

Public  Comfort  Stations  10.00 

Public  School  Social  Centers  120.50 

Public  Service  Committee  25.00 

Reform  Work  260.00 

Sarah  H.  Stevenson  Memorial  Lodging  House,  and  Model 

Lodging  House  Association  85.00 

School  of  Domestic  Arts  and  Science  90.00 

Social  Hygiene 124.38 

Social  Worker  in  Jail  20.00 

Speakers  for  Clubs  in  Outlying  Districts 50.00 

State  School  for  Girls  at  Geneva  64.75 

Summer  School,  and  Teacher  for  Defective  Children 90.00 

Sunday  Open  Door  60.00 

Teacher  at  Oak  Forest  25.00 


$17,086.53 


ART  AND   LITERATURE  DEPARTMENT. 


Art  Fund    $  1,477.71 

Art  Institute  Scholarship  Fund  and  Scholarships 1,728.35 

Artistic   Appointments    1,553.56 

Art  Work  in  Public  Schools  305.20 

California   Sufferers ; 100.00 

Chicago   School    Extension    Committee,   including  Vacation 

School    Committee    2,951.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  at  Park  Ridge  School  for 

Girls    3,902.11 

Educational   Work    102.40 

Egyptian   Research   75.00 

Flower  Mission   142.80 

Frederick  Douglas  Center   , 1 10.00 

Home  Teaching  of  Adult  Blind  25.00 

Hospitality  Committee 1,082.60 

Joint  Committee  on  Vocational  Training  100.00 

Juvenile  Court  Committee   10.00 

Lectures    355.30 

Library  Committee,  Books  and  Traveling  Libraries 773.68 

Municipal  Art  League  and  Exhibition  Committee 150.00 

Mural  Decorations  and  Frieze  in  Juvenile  Detention  Home  1,000.00 
Mural   Decorations   in   McKinley   High   School,  $1,500  sky- 
light from   Chicago  Woman's   Club  and   gifts   of  High 

School  Alumni   12,189.00 

Neighborhood    House    Music    Study    Class 691.60 

Pergola   in   Small    Park,   Bellevue   Place 1,320.00 


376  ANNALS  OF  THE 


Permanent    Art    Furnishings     1,572.23 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  and  Legal  Aid 

Society    (1890    to    1902) 440.00 

Public  School  Social  Centers    80.00 

Sarah  H.  Stevenson   Memorial  Lodging  House,  and   Model 

Lodging  House  Association    80.00 

School  Children's  Aid   Society 200.00 

School   of  Domestic   Arts   and   Science 50.00 

Shakespeare   Day    (1902   to    1915) 4,294.94 

Study  Classes — 

Art    $1,581.65 

Drama    733.69 

Forestry    402.25 

French 819.30 

German    380.15 

Gaelic    100.00 

Italian  85.82 

Literary    622.50 

Music    1,034.26 

5,759.62 

Summer   Schools    251.50 

Sunday  Open  Door  234.00 

Dues    for   Representatives   in    Organizations    Mentioned    in 

List   Above    210.00 


$43,317.60 
PHILOSOPHY  AND  SCIENCE  DEPARTMENT. 

Chicago   School    Extension    Committee,   including  Vacation 

School    Committee $  391.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Civics  Committee    10.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Cottage  at  Park  Ridge  School  for  Girls  454.25 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Cottage  at  Tuskegee  567.50 

Egyptian    Research    Society    1,578.50 

Esther    Falkenstein    Settlement    240.00 

Flower   Mission    10.00 

Frederick  Douglas  Center 40.00 

Guaranty   Fund    57.64 

Joint  Committee  for  Vocational  Training 24.00 

Library  Committee   100.00 

Neighborhood  House  Settlement  Work  42.02 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children,  and  Legal  Aid 

Society    196.00 

Psychological    Investigation,   to    Students   in   University   of 

Chicago    100.00 

Refuge  for  Girls    125.00 

Scholarship  in  University  of  Chicago  305.00 

School  Children's  Aid  Society   160.00 

Students'   Reference   Bureau    95.31 

Study    Classes     l,292!oO 

Sunday  Open   Door    118.25 

$5,906.57 


CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB  377 


CONTRIBUTIONS,  JANUARY    1,    1916,  TO   APRIL   1,  1916. 
CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB. 

Chicago  Woman's   Club   Birthday  Jubilee $  100.00 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  Red  Cross  Committee 573.00 

Equal    Suffrage    Committee 25.00 

Ellen  Wilson  Memorial  Homes,  Washington,  D.  C 25.00 

Illinois  Equal  Suffrage  Association 100.00 

Adult  Blind  Committee,   Home  Teaching 100.00 

Housing  Committee,  Medill  School  Housekeeping  Class...  75.00 

Infant  Welfare  Society 200.00 

Illinois  Children's  Home  and  Aid  Society 100.00 

Municipal  Art  League   50.00 

Park   Ridge    School    for    Girls 25.00 

Public  School  Art  Society 50.00 

School  Children's  Aid  Society 200.00 

Sarah  H.  Stevenson  Memorial  Lodging  House 100.00 

Sunday  Open  Door  Committee 50.00 


$  1,773.00 
HOME   DEPARTMENT. 

Civic  Music  Association $  10.00 

Ellen  Wilson  Memorial  Homes 10.00 

Frederick  Douglas  Center 10.00 

Chicago  Housewives  League  membership 1.00 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children  and  Legal 

Aid  Society  50.00 

Library  Committee  5.00 

Propaganda  Work,  McKinley  High  School 25.00 

School  of  Domestic  Arts  and  Science 10.00 

Scholarship  Committee  of  Vocational  Training 10.00 

Membership   2.00 


$  133.00 
EDUCATION      DEPARTMENT. 

Ellen  Wilson  Memorial  Homes $  10.00 

Frederick  Douglas   Center 10.00 

Jones  School   Center    15.00 

Joint    Committee    Vocational    Training 60.00 

Library    Committee    10.00 

Park  Ridge   School   for   Girls 25.00 

Public   Schools   as    Social    Centers 25.00 

Public  School  Art  Society 

Sarah  H.  Stevenson  Memorial  Lodging  House 15.00 

ART  AND    LITERATURE   DEPARTMENT. 

Frederick   Douglas    Center $  25.00 

Library  Committee    25.00 

Lincoln    Highway    Film 50.00 

Chicago   Woman's    Outdoor   Art    League    membership....  2.00 

$  102.00 


378     ANNALS  OF  THE  CHICAGO  WOMAN'S  CLUB 


PHILANTHROPY  DEPARTMENT. 

Blue  Bird  Cottage $  20.00 

Bridewell  Girls  Home  50.00 

Ellen  Wilson  Memorial  Homes 10.00 

Evergreen  Home  50.00 

Flower  Mission  10.00 

Frederick  Douglas  Center. . .  .^ 50.00 

Hinman  School  (Kentucky  W.  C.  T.  U.) 10.00 

Adult  Blind  Committee.  Home  Teaching  (Materials  for 

work) 10.00 

Infant  Welfare  Society  and  League 60.00 

Juvenile  Protective  Association 50.00 

Joint  Committee  for  Vocational  Training 50.00 

Library  Committee  10.00 

Park  Ridge  School  for  Girls 25.00 

Phyllis  Wheatley  Home 15.00 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Children  and  Legal  Aid 

Society  50.00 

Sarah  H.  Stevenson  Memorial  Lodging  House 15.00 

School  Children's  Aid  Society 25.00 

Traveler's  Aid  Home  .  50.00 


560.00 


REFORM  DEPARTMENT. 


Child    Conservation    Committee    $  10.00 

Civic    Music   Association    10.00 

Ellen    Wilson    Memorial    Homes 10.00 

Adult  Blind  Committee,  Home  Teaching 10.00 

Illinois    Equal    Suffrage    Association 25.00 

Juvenile  Protective  Association 10.00 

Joint    Committee   Vocational   Training , 25.00 

Library  Committee 10.00 

Park    Ridge    School    for    Girls 25.00 

Social    Service    Committee    10.00 

Protective   Agency   for    Women   and   Children   and    Legal 

Aid  Society 5.00 

Morals   Court   Committee  membership 2.00 


152.00 


RECAPITULATION. 


Chicago  Woman's  Club   $344,073.00 

Home   Department    6,144.50 

Education    Department    7,419.07 

Philanthropy    Department    33,200.15 

Reform  Department   17,238.53 

Art    and    Literature    Department 43,419.60 

Philosophy   and   Science    Department 5,906.47 

$457,401.42 


INDEX 


A. 

Academy    of    Science,    265. 

Adams    School,    321,    348. 

Adult   blind,   see    "Blind." 

Adult   parole,    278. 

Advisory  committee,  to  public  guardian, 
194,  to  Club,  151. 

•Agriculture,    department   of,    287. 

Amateur    Musical   Club,    98,    314. 

American    Civic    Association,    248. 

Americanization  of  immigrant,  commit- 
tee, 360. 

Anniversary,  eighteenth,  148-149;  fortieth, 
program,  365-366. 

Annual  dues,  151;  apportionment  to  de- 
partments, 152. 

Annual  reports  of  secretary,  27,  30,  34, 
35,  36,  37,  43,  45,  52,  68,  69,  93,  126, 
131. 

Anthony,  Susan  B.,  166,  238,  345;  death 
of.  246. 

Anti-child-labor    committee,    287,    301. 

Anti-cigarette  league,   363. 

Anti-cruelty   society,   373. 

Anti-smoke    committee,    270. 

Appropriations    for    public    work,    95. 

Arbitration    treaties,    289-290. 

Arbor   day,    258. 

Arbutus    day,    242. 

Architectural  Club,   77-78,   200. 

Armenian  women,    159. 

Armitage   Avenue   Settlement,   259,    267. 

Art  and  Literature,  committee,  31;  de- 
partment, study  classes,  32.  79-80,  132, 
156,  157,  165,  169,  175,  196,  198,  199, 
226,  237,  242,  279,  280,  281,  282,  298, 
299,  309,  358;  contributions,  375,  376, 
378. 

Arts  and  Crafts,  society,  229;  exhibit, 
245,  282;  committee,  369. 

Art   Association,    committee  on,   204. 

Art    fund,    369,    375. 

Art  in   Public  Schools,   157,   245. 

Art    Institute,    new,    50. 

Art  Institute,  Scholarship,  78,  79,  175, 
189,  237,  375;  reception,  241;  concerts, 
197,  293-294,  323,  325-326,  340,  347,  373. 

Art  purchasing  committee,  152,  157,  203, 
245,  369. 

Art   work   in   public   schools,    375. 

Artistic  furnishings,  279,  375,  376,  mark- 
ing of.  332-334. 

Associated   Charities,    38,    97,    123. 

Association  for  the  Advancement  of 
Women.  10,  39,  40,  43,  44,  52,  57,  60. 


Association    of    Collegiate    Alumnae,     50, 

337. 

Association   of   Commerce,    288,    310. 
Athenaeum,    98. 
Auditing    committee,    47. 
Audubon    Society,    program    conducted    by, 

171,    370. 

Auxiliary    associations,    65,    75. 
Avalon    cottage,    295,    372. 

B. 

Baby  farms,   231,  250. 

Ballot,   printed,   19. 

Barton,    Clara,    166,    287. 

Beautification  of  Chicago,  142,  165,  199, 
200. 

Belgian  relief  expedition,  329-330,  359- 
360,  369. 

Bellevue  Place  Park,  142,  199.  200-203, 
375;  letter  to  Mayor  and  Council,  202. 

Bible   study   class,    372. 

Biennial,  325-328,  345;  local  board,  325- 
328.  370. 

Biennial,  delegates  to  168,  203,  268,  284, 
298. 

Big    trees    of    California,    235. 

Bill    to   punish    rape,    222. 

Birth    registration,    307,    316,    337. 

Blind,  teaching  of  adult,  263-265,  338, 
356.  373,  375,  377,  378;  state  control, 
264,  292-293;  books  for,  264,  265;  bill 
to  provide  colony  for,  293;  committee 
on,  263-265,  292-293. 

Blindness,    prevention   of,    307. 

Blue  Bird  cottage,  294-295,  340,  372,  378; 
Avalon,  372;  Blue  Bird  Nest,  372. 

Board  of  Directors,  see  Managers,  Board 
of. 

Board  of  Education;  women  on  school 
board,  28-29,  35,  66,  67,  69-74,  80-81, 
95,  125,  131;  petitions  to,  216,  251, 
257,  305,  313,  321,  334,  340,  346,  347, 
348;  woman  members  entertained,  247; 
cleanliness  of  school  rooms,  170;  li- 
brary, 170,  228;  pure  water,  170;  sal- 
aries of  teachers,  163-164;  walls  to  be 
tinted,  175,  176,  182. 

Board   of    Pardons,    letter   to,    322. 

Book   plate,    196-197,    226. 

Book   socials,   206,   372. 

Booth,     Henry,    house,    259. 

Boston   Union,   26. 

Boys'    court,    318. 

Bread    wrapped,    307. 

Bridewell,  161,  162,  189,  205,  245,  331- 
334,  372. 


380 


INDEX 


Brighton   School,    80,   82. 

Building,  projects,  97-08;  354,  355;  reso- 
lutions on,  98,  168;  committee,  355, 
359. 

Bureau  of  Charities,   159,   160,   234,  372. 

Bureau  of  Commerce  and   Industry,   247. 

Bureau   of   Justice,    164.   205,    245,    370. 

Burr    Industrial    School,    26. 

Business  meetings:  Fourth  Wednesday, 
74,  100,  150,  170,  224. 

Business    Women's    Exchange,    207. 

By-laws,  amendments,  49-50,  64-65, 
145,  152,  153;  three  year  limit  of  serv- 
ice, 100-102;  131,  243;  first  committee 
on,  24. 

C. 

Calendar,  17,  18,  50,  65,  101,  105,  138, 
151,  194,  232,  362. 

California    State    federation,    307. 

Canal    Zone    federation,    260. 

Censors,   board   of,    297-298. 

Census   bill,    260. 

Channing    Club,    40. 

Charities  and  corrections;  public,  45;  com- 
mittee, 249;  national,  370. 

Charity,  organization,  346;  Board  of,  49; 
bureau  of  charities,  159,  1(>0,  234;  spe- 
cial fund,  373. 

Charter  convention,    252.   255;    new,    261. 

Charter  members,   23,   24,   194. 

Chicago    Art    Association,    369. 

Chicago    Civic    Improvement,    369. 

Chicago    Historical    Society,    186. 

Chicago   Home   for   girls,    337. 

Chicago    Peace    Society,    329. 

Chicago  Political  Equality  League,  133- 
134,  168,  245,  320. 

Chicago  Symphony  Orchestra,  314,  315, 
347. 

Chicago    Tuberculosis     Institute,     321. 

Chicago  Woman's  Club  of  New  York, 
237,  290. 

Child    conservation    committee,    374,    378. 

Child  labor,  171,  225,  239,  279,  287,  301- 
302,  322;  bills,  335,  337,  362;  national 
committee,  370. 

Child    problems,    symposium,    164-165. 

Child  study,  In  public  schools,  241,  372; 
league,  369. 

Child  welfare,   303;   society,   342. 

Children,  conference  on,  175;  defective, 
171;  school  room  for  defective,  219;  de- 
pendent and  delinquent,  188;  bill  for 
dependent,  161. 

Children,  from  poor-houses,  removal  of, 
147,  162,  220. 

Children,  laws  affecting  women  and,  com- 
mittee on,  190. 


Children's  Aid  Society,  352;  Home  and 
Aid  Society,  21,  231,  370. 

Children's    bureau,    federal,    260,    309,    319. 

Children's,  Christmas  entertainment,  174, 
175,  289;  Messiah,  175;  programs,  336, 
369. 

Children's,  educational  theatre  commit- 
tee, 342,  343;  theatres,  255. 

Children's  Hospital,  21,  236;  society,  21, 
229,  233,  244,  250-251,  369,  374. 

Christmas    carols,    program,    268,    308. 

Christmas,    sane,   308;    shopping,    239,   253. 

City   Club,   316,   347. 

City  Council,  69,  242,  252,  258,  262,  263, 
270,  300,  307,  308,  312,  316,  334,  359. 

City   garden   association,    369. 

City   normal   school,    254,    321. 

Civic   congress,    national,    263. 

Civic   federation,    235. 

Civic  Music  Association,  314,  315,  323, 
325,  326,  331,  347,  369,  374,  377,  378; 
Sunday  concerts  in  field-houses,  312. 

Civics   and   Philanthropy,   School   of,   305. 

Civics  committee,  258,  300-301,  308-309, 
315-316,  323,  369,  372,  373,  374,  376; 
exhibit  of,  316. 

Civil  service,  129,  222,  237,  243,  249,  261, 
317;  reform  association,  321;  commit- 
tee, 369,  373,  374. 

Clean  food  organizations,  291;  commit- 
tee, 371. 

Cliff  dwellers,   235. 

Club,  building.  354-355,  358.  364;  colors, 
18,  141;  cottage,  building  and  furnish- 
ing committee,  274-276;  history,  19,  34, 
39,  105;  history  committee,  313,  344- 
347,  357,  365,  366,  367;  New  Orleans, 
48;  office,  20;  pin,  10,  18,  111,  141; 
pledge,  V.,  367;  Record,  259,  260;  for- 
tieth anniversary,  377;  contributions, 
369,  371,  377;  summary  of  contribu- 
tions, 378. 

Collegiate   alumnae,    50,    229. 

Colorado  cottage,   294-295,   340,   372,    378. 

Columbian  Exposition,  19,  103;  club  ex- 
hibits, 104,  109,  110,  111,  138,  139; 
members'  duties  at,  111,  112;  Colum- 
bian Housekeepers'  Association,  124, 
125,  135;  congresses,  10,  108,  178;  con- 
gress auxiliary,  112-116;  flag,  108; 
guests,  138;  hospitality,  104,  108;  Lib- 
erty Boll,  108;  Municipal  Order  League, 
103,  108,  138;  protection  of  girls,  107, 
131;  Sunday  closing,  105-107;  symposium 
on  World's  Fair,  133;  Woman's  Med- 
ical Board  exhibit,  138,  139;  World's 
Fair,  284. 


INDEX 


381 


Columbian  Housekeepers'  Association,  124, 
125,  135. 

Commerce  and  Industry,  department  of, 
235. 

Commons,  Chicago,  371. 

Compulsory  education,  55,  56,  68,  69,  347, 
363;  work  for  bill,  70,  71,  72,  81,  95- 
96;  special  committee,  125,  126;  legis- 
lation, 127,  171,  174,  176.  204;  new 
law,  232,  260. 

Concerts,  197;  Art  Institute,  197,  293, 
294,  323,  325-326,  340,  347;  in  field- 
bouses,  see  Civic  Music  Association. 

Conference,  charities  and  corrections,  na- 
tional, 370;  dependent  children,  175. 

Conference,  women  In  industry,  236,  251; 
industrial,  370;  minimum  wage,  370. 

Congress  of  mothers,  372. 

Congress  of  Representative  Women,   108. 

Conservation  of  natural  resources,  263; 
Stony  Island,  312;  White  Pine  forest, 
312;  Starved  Rock,  312,  322;  Niagara 
Falls,  248. 

Consolidation   of   taxing   bodies,    191. 

Constitutional    convention,     proposed,    308. 

Consumers  League,  128.  131,  319,  347, 
370;  exhibit,  219,  239,  316,  374. 

Contagious  Diseases*  Act,  27;  Hospital, 
97,  129,  230,  296. 

Contents,   table  of,   VII. 

Contributions,    financial,    368-378. 

Cook  County  Infirmary,  children's  build- 
ing, 220-221;  articles  sent  to.  219. 

Cook  County  League,  proposed,  132-133, 
175. 

Corresponding  Secretary,  report,  205,  316, 
356. 

County  Board,  (see  Cook  County  Com- 
missioners). 

Cook  County  charitable  institutions,  com- 
mittee on,  252,  276,  317,  374;  resolu- 
tions, 94;  visiting  committee.  160,  193, 
205,  230,  252;  visitor,  135;  teacher.  374. 

Cook  County  commissioners,  54,  230,  252, 
272,  277,  278,  335;  advisory  committee, 
323;  women  candidates,  338. 

Cook  County  institutions,  committee,  252, 
276,  317,  374. 

Cook    County   federation,    175. 

Cook  County  Hospital,  21.  277,  324;  kin- 
dergarten, 276,  374;  play-room,  276. 

Coulter   House,    334. 

County  charitable  institutions,  resolu- 
tions, 94;  visitor,  135;  visiting  commit- 
tee, 160,  193,  205,  2.30,  252. 

Criminal   Jurisprudence,    338. 

Crippled    children,    229.    262,    277. 


D. 

Dairy   farm  inspection,   251. 

Dance    halls,    238,    296. 

Day   nurseries,    250. 

Decorative   Art  Society,    40,   50,    57. 

Defective  children,  171,  373;  school- 
room for,  219;  teacher  for,  372,  373. 

Delegates,  29,  57,  67,  69,  88-89,  99, 
107,  168,  193,  203,  218,  268,  284,  298. 

Delinquent,  boys  and  girls,  342;  chil- 
dren, schools  for,  363. 

Department,  18;  change  of  name  from 
committee  to,  102. 

Dependent  children,  38,  161;  bill,  171; 
conference,  175;  girls  In  institutions, 
269;  need  of  legislation  for,  273;  de- 
pendent and  delinquent  girls,  318-319. 

Deportation   law.   221. 

Detention  Home,   193. 

Detention   Hospital,   65. 

Domestic,  Arts  and  Science,  25;  School 
of,  172.  194-195,  2O4,  207,  216.  218, 

371,  372,    373,    375,    376.    377;    scholar- 
ship,   232,    251;    home    science    bureau, 
220;     home    economics,    229;     committee 
on    domestic    science,    204,    207;    domes- 
tics,   training    school    for,    48.    49,     363, 
371;    training   for   dependent    girls,    273. 

Dore  School,   348. 

Drama,   267,  280,  282,  299;   committee  on, 

282. 

Drama    league   of   America,    282,    374. 
Dues,    department,    to    organizations,    371, 

373.    376,    377. 
Dunning,     53,     161,     277;     appointment    of 

women    physicians,     43,     53;     committee 

on,    124,    231,   234;    infirmary,    259. 

E. 

Education,  compulsory,  committee  on,  204. 
Education  Department,   study  classes,   158, 

218,     358-359;     contributions,     372,     377, 

378. 
Educational     commission     bill,     195,     204, 

217-218;     committee    on,    205. 
Educational   congress,   168;   work,   375. 
Egg   sale,   291. 
Egyptian    explorations,    154-155;    research, 

187".   369,    375,   376. 
Eleanor    Association,    351,    372. 
Election   of   members,    30,   150,    151. 
Electrification  of  terminals.   288. 
Emergency    and    relief   work,    1893-94,    10, 

20,    116-117,    118-123,    125,   139,    369,    371, 

372,  373;   employment   burenu,    124,    329; 
employment   center  committee,   335,   337, 
342,    345,    349-354,    357,    369. 

Emerson   bas-relief,    234. 


382 


INDEX 


Employment,  bureau  for  women  and  girls, 
124,  329;  of  -women,  322;  free  bureau, 
351;  municipal  bureau,  335;  of  -women 
and  children,  120,  126. 

English  language,  teaching  to  foreign- 
ers, 38. 

English   study   class,    282,    298-299,    361. 

Epileptics,  need  of  care,  158-159;  bill 
for,  216,  222,  277;  colony  for,  193, 
216,  260,  364,  373. 

Equal  Suffrage  Committee,  318.  325,  369, 
373,  374,  377. 

Esther    Falkenstein    settlement,    373,    376. 

Etiology   of   dependence,   250,    265. 

Everett    School,     320. 

Evergreen    Home.    373,    378. 

Evolution  of   Chicago,   267. 

Excursions,    369. 

Exhibit,  50,  156,  165,  219,  239,  245, 
282.  300,  316;  housing.  323;  at  Colum- 
bian Exposition,  104,  109,  110,  111,  138. 

F. 

Factory   inspection,    132,    216,    307. 

Federation,  of  city  clubs,  133-134;  Wom- 
en's League,  65-66.  363;  women's  clubs, 
58-61,  69,  140,  168,  171,  268;  Cook 
County  Clubs,  24;  organization,  175, 
176;  Illinois  Clubs,  146-147,  166,  168, 
173;  federation  day,  289;  of  labor,  316; 
league,  132-133,  175,  176,  191,  251;  of 
peace  forces,  369. 

Feeble-minded,  children,  summer  school 
for,  205;  women,  319;  state  school,  319. 

Festivals  in  field-houses,   256. 

Finance  and  auditing  committee,   47,   240. 

Finnish  benefit.    369. 

Fire  prevention,  338,  339. 

First   aid   to  the  injured,    132,    140. 

Flower  mission,  371,  373,  374,  375,  376, 
378. 

Food  and  Market  Club,  51st  Street,  291; 
committee,  324. 

Food  commission,  233;  inspection,  242; 
pure.  290-291. 

Forester,   city,  258,  289. 

Forestry,   class,   280-281,   298,  312. 

Foreword,  III. 

Formality  in  method,  30,  31,  35,  38,  43, 
45. 

Fortnightly,    The,   10,   12,    15,    52,   98. 

Foster  School.   321,   348,   373. 

Founders'    day,    148,    149,    166. 

Fourth  of  July,   sane,  370. 

Franklin    School,    343. 

Frederick  Douglas  Center,  269,  342,  369, 
371,  372,  373,  374,  375,  376,  377,  378. 


Friendly   Aid   Society,    120,    269,    342,    369. 

Friends  in  Council,   15. 

Froebel  Association,   80,   81,   82. 

G. 

Garbage,    258;    problem,    312. 

Gardens,    258. 

Garment   workers'    strike,    286. 

General     Federation     of     Women's     Clubs, 

22,    57,    58-61,    69,    88-89,    140.    168,    171, 

246,    266,^68,    289,    290,    311,    324,    325, 

328,    370;   endowment   fund,    369. 
Geneva    Home    for    Girls,    193,    207,    219, 

288-289,    319,    322. 
Gifts    to    Club,    46,    99,     153.    165,     234, 

281,    331,    333. 

Glee    Club,    Chicago    College,    334. 
Glenwood    School    for    Boys,    72,    80,    82- 

88,    158,    369,    370,    373;    committee    on, 

204,    230,    259,    271,    279. 
Goodnow    bill,    334. 
Grand   opera   day,    287,    361. 
Grant  monument  unveiling,  97. 
Guaranty    fund,    376. 

Guests,    35,    56,    74,    138,    289,    300,    313. 
Guest  book.  330. 

H. 

Hague   Conference,   268. 

Haines  practice  school,   321. 

Half-holiday  committee,  287,  319,  347, 
370. 

Half-fare   rates   for   school  children,   207. 

Hamline   School,    committee,    254-255,    256. 

Hampton  Institute,   232. 

Handicraft  in  public  schools,  245,  253- 
254,  369. 

Harrison   High   School,    347. 

Health  department,  231,  233,  250,  308; 
commission,  262. 

Henderson  bill,    338. 

Hetch-Hetchy  Valley   reserve,   263. 

High   license,    284. 

Hinman    School,    Kentucky,    372,    373,    378. 

Historical,    research   committee,    344. 

History,  club,  19,  34,  39,  105;  committee, 
313,  344-347,  357.  365,  366,  367. 

Home,  Department  study  classes,  109,  165, 
207,  358;  contributions,  371,  378. 

Home,   economics,  229;   home  making,  339. 

Home   for   self-supporting   women,    65. 

Home,  for  girls  and  boys,  249;  for  un- 
fortunate girls,  249;  Batavia,  372;  Hol- 
iday, 372. 

Home,  Geneva,  288-289,  375;  Chicago,  for 
girls,  337;  Bridewell,  372.  378;  Phyl- 
lis Wheatley,  373,  378;  school  for 
paroled  boys,  221;  newsboys,  48. 


INDEX 


383 


Home    science    bureau,    20. 

Home  teaching  of  adult  blind.  263-265, 
292-293;  see  "Blind." 

Hospital,  Cook  County,  276.  277,  317; 
for  children,  260;  for  Infectious  dis- 
eases; mass  meeting  for,  97,  129,  230, 
296;  Mary  Thompson,  288,  296,  309,  318, 
370,  373,  374;  Maternity,  371;  Mem- 
orial, 267;  Presbyterian,  362;  chil- 
dren's. 374. 

Hospitality,  22,  104,  108,  153,  205-206; 
see  "Social  Meetings." 

Hospitality  committee,  375. 

Hotels,   licensing,   260. 

House  of  correction,   334;   of  shelter,   334. 

Housing,  committee,  369,  373,  374,  377; 
conditions,  308;  investigation  of,  206, 
308,  315,  316;  exhibit,  323;  reform,  93. 

House  of   Good   Shepherd,   26. 

Howard   Association,   Central,   369,   372. 

Howe,    Julia    Ward,    10.    26,    27,    286,    346. 

Hull  House,  37,  251,  264,  370;  players, 
289;  trade  school,  305,  306. 

Hygiene,    social,    265-267,    301,    371. 


Illinois,  boards  of  education,  340;  legis- 
lature, 326,  354. 

Illinois  Children's  Home  and  Aid  Society, 
370,  374,  377. 

Illinois  Equal  Suffrage  Association,  377, 
378. 

Illinois    Improvement    Association.    370. 

Illinois    Industrial  School   for   Boys,    370. 

Illinois  Industrial  School  for  Girls.  270- 
276,  370.  See  "Park  Ridge  School." 

Illinois  Federation  of  Women's  Clubs,  or- 
ganization of,  22,  146-147;  247,  249, 
266,  290,  324,  328,  329,  350,  369. 

Illinois    Manufacturers'     Association,    216. 

Illinois  Reformatory  for  women  and  girls, 
46. 

Industrial    Association,    371. 

Illinois  State  University,  135-136,  194, 
247. 

Illinois  Training  School  for  Nurses,  40, 
166,  317. 

Immigrants  Protective  League,  34,  316, 
342,  373,  374. 

Immigration  Office  In  Chicago,  307. 

Improvement  Association,  238,  257,  258; 
Michigan  Avenue,  270. 

Incorporation,   17,   49. 

Industrial  Art  Association,  53,  55,  56, 
80,  370;  committee  on,  204. 

Industrial    bureau,    346. 


Industrial  conditions  of  women  and  chil- 
dren, 133,  204.  235,  236,  247,  251,  284, 
296-297;  committee  on  problems  affect- 
ing women  and  children,  204;  confer- 
ences, 370. 

Industrial  education,  73,  74,  80. 

Industrial   program,    358. 

Industrial   progress,    221,    374. 

Industrial  school  for  colored  children,   222. 

Industrial  School  for  Girls,  Illinois,  270- 
276,  285;  see  Park  Ridge  School. 

Industrial  training  for  blind,  264. 

Infant,   mortality,  263,  369;  congress,  364. 

Infant,  welfare,  committee  on,  250,  288; 
society,  342,  352,  370,  374,  377,  378. 

Injunction  and  abatement  law,    337,   359. 

Insane  asylum,  11,  49,  54,  230;  appoint- 
ment of  women  physicians,  53,  362;  work 
for  trained  service  in  asylums,  54;  legis- 
lation for  insane,  126,  127,  141;  kinder- 
garten for  insane,  161,  162;  lecture  on, 

191,  230;  employment  for,  234. 
Institution    visiting,    236,    249,    317. 
International  Chambers  of  Commerce,  310, 

325. 

International  Council  of  Women,  235, 
284. 

International  Navigation  Congress,  310, 
325. 

Introduction,    general,    9. 

International  Institute  League  of  Spain, 
370. 

Investigation,  Illinois  Industrial  School, 
Evanston,  374;  midwifery,  374;  shop- 
ping conditions,  374. 

J. 

Jail  School,  125,  127,  135,  159,  160,  161, 
370,  372,  374;  teacher  paid  by  sheriff, 
162-163,  177,  178,  179.  189;  committee, 

192,  204.    252,    277,    278. 

Jail,  work  for  women  and  children,  38, 
67,  167,  278,  317,  362;  social  worker, 
375. 

Japanese  buildings,  Jackson  Park,  199, 
200. 

John  Worthy  School,  160,  163,  165,  176, 
180.  189.  205,  245.  278. 

Jubilee,    Club,   fortieth  anniversary,   377. 

Jones  School,  300,  320,  330,  331,  343, 
348.  377. 

.In ul  Bill,  guardianship  of  children,  222; 
increased  school  tax,  312. 

Juvenile  Court,  125,  142-159,  177,  178- 
179.  180-181.  188-190,  191.  192,  340- 
341;  committee.  192,  193,  372.  373.  374, 
375,  219,  229,  234,  252,  370;  Deten- 
tion Home,  193;  probation  officers,  218, 


INDEX 


25.   2S.    3»,    4ft,    41.   55, 
B.    36».    371.    374:    frwfctl 
8*.   SI.   SS.   keftBaatfaB  ««. 


9f    Cteak    CMBtr    Ctaaa.    132-133, 

175.  176.  ML  251. 
Lectares.  233.  237.  240,  343.  364.  33*. 

37L  373,  374.  375. 
Legml  AM  Stefatr.  H.  33*. 


Sank  H.  Stwcat- 
123.  147.  ISH.  199L  !«. 
I«.  MR.  MB,  174,  2K,  24&.  2S.  23*. 
33*.  371.  37X  375.  33K.  377.  SM. 


29.    37.    39.    40. 
7,    SL    64,    8*.    ML    M4.    M7.    183. 
273.    288.   29*.   311.   322.   325, 
«*.   15L 


«*.    174.   MB.   264. 


371. 
JriL  11.  38.  42,  45.  322. 

17.    28.    2».    flB.    71.   K,   128.   JST. 
3aec3U.3M.321.32fi.334.33e. 


13*. 
«aes 

151: 


49.  C4-C5.   13*.  MR, 
MC.  Ml.  MO.  125. 
333,  324;  «fc*i>«ti»  of  AKS.  172: 
M*.  172,  240:  efeetfM  te.  3O,  159, 
MB.  288:  fife  mem- 


tta.     127,    187; 
Fraaei*   W.   Parker,   218;   Prcsidevt   Me- 
223;     Herbert     Spe*rcr.     236; 
237,    246:    S«aa    B. 
R.   Harper.  246; 
Taler.    246;    Alexaa- 
:    Dr.  fflt  na«aa.   263, 

r,  276,  279;  Xeffie  Halted.  276; 
D.  Slaigga,  276;  Clara  L.  Dliaa. 
296;  Befle  Pratt  Macve.  276;  JaHa 
Ward  Haw*.  286;  Mary  I*wfe  Mate. 
289:  Ezxan  B.  Coraeaa.  331;  Mr*.  C. 

374.    377, 


INDEX 


Memorial*  to  QoeeB  Victoria.  27. 

Merit  law  for  state.   243. 

Merit    system    ia   Cook    Goaty    charitable 

InrtltnOoM.    144-145. 
Milk.    T-—  •«—  «"-.    21.    233-234.    244.    374; 

depot.    250;    tarectfeatk*.   287. 

esee,  298-297.  370;  board.  297.  313:  for 

BimiB.  3U.   316.   375;    i  ammlaslim    316- 

317.   323.    336.    338. 
Mitchell.   Maria,   fnd,   75.  370. 
Mii'T  Lodging  Pom*.  123.   147.   150.   150. 

166.    167.    168.    160.    174.    206.   245.   263, 

370;  Sarah  EL  gfereaaoB  Memorial.  370. 

371,   373,   375.   376,   377.    378. 
Moral  Education  Society.  51. 
Morals  Court  committee.   378. 
Motto.   CM*.    IT.   12.    18. 
MaaleJpal.     Art     Commtmtom.     200.     331; 

Court.    318;     employment    bweaa.    325; 

Art    League,    262.    37O.    375,    377;    mm- 

aemn.   249;  order  league.  143.   108.   138: 

sanitariam.  321;  smTrage.  252.  270.  399, 

375. 
Moral    art.   226,   227.   282;    committee  OB, 

226,  202;  decoration*,  332,  333.  372,  375. 
Murdoek   bill.   291.   SIX 
MosicaJes,   32,  45.   50.  268.   274,  280. 
Motif,    !•    parka.    256.    267;    ia    oar   etty. 

287;    j>UlBi»li      312.     314. 
Matte    «n>dy    dam.    314.    323;    ia 

borbood    Howe.    375. 
Myra    BradveO   ScbooJ.    300, 


18; 


N. 

cbaaged 


Name.    CMb. 
Clm>.  153. 

313. 

•'•     Bvream.     260.     309. 
319:  Kd«c*tto-  Amorfattoa.  80.  203,  206, 
222.   292.  372;   Howewtrea* 
Peace  Society.  267. 
Nativity   Play.   268. 

Nature  creed.  269. 
Nature 


231.   235.   238,   257-258. 
Xeighborkood    Dum«.    157.    370.    371.    375. 

376. 

Newsboys' 
Niagara    Falls, 


101149. 


o. 

Oak   Forest,   cottages.   364;    teacher.   375. 


Mil,   319. 


Old 

Ow   day   rest   ta 
Ope*  Air 
Ope*    DMT, 

13.    77.    142,    197.    323,    344.    371.    373. 

375.   376.   377;    feetsves.   197.    371;   Cm* 

committee     OB,     197-198.     216-217.     228. 

265.   283.   307. 

Opera   Day.   Graad.   287.  361. 
Orchestra    BmarUtimy    Chicago.    229.   347. 


374: 


m    city 

r."   297. 

OrgaataatiaB,  Cm*.  15.  16.  23,  24,  47.  52. 
Outdoor    Art    League.    CUeaga*    Woman's, 
232.   372.  373.  374. 


Ovter  Park  System.  248.  284. 


Pamama   Pacific   KrpmwtioB.    316. 
Pareatal    school,     traaat    ami.     17«. 

188-189.     218.     221-222.     372.    373; 

21*.  260.  20;  committee.  221;  law. 
Parents"   societies  ta  schools.  259. 
Parker  8  caul.   Fraarf*.   331.   343. 
Park     Ridge    School     Car     Girls. 

285,    300.   342,    369.    379.    371.    372.    374. 

375,    376,    377.    378. 
Parks,    247.    248.    256,    286.    2*7.    288-269, 

303-304.  312;  and 

154. 


148.    184.    185;     story 


of.   184. 
Peace,   emrfereaee.    224.   283 

eietjr.   299;    Womaa's    Party.    334;    eam- 
8»-2».    336:    National 


142.   MB.  239.  241.  354-355.  384. 


386 


INDEX 


Permanent  Vacation  School  Committee, 
10,  33,  37,  38,  168,  239,  241,  256. 

Petitions,  on  compulsory  education,  69; 
women  on  school  board,  70;  to  Board 
of  Education,  72,  216;  to  President  of 
United  States,  90-93;  on  mob  violence, 
216. 

Philanthropy  Department,  contributions, 
372,  378. 

Philosophy  and  Science  committee,  46, 
47,  60,  67;  study  classes,  68,  124,  186, 
252-253,  298,  359;  contributions,  376, 
378. 

Phyllis  Wheatley  Home,   373,   378. 

Physical  Culture  and  Correct  Dress  So- 
ciety, 69,  104;  exhibit  at  Columbian 
Exposition,  109-111,  125,  140. 

Physicians'    Institute,    370. 

Physiology,    teaching   of    in    schools,    206. 

Pin,    Club,    10,    18,    111,    141. 

Playgrounds,  162,  247,  256.  267,  268-269, 
290,  302,  303-304,  312,  373,  374;  com- 
mittee, 290,  312,  320,  334. 

Pledge,   Club,   IV,   18,   367. 

Poets'  day,   Browning,   147;   Rossetti,   154. 

Police  stations  and  jail,  matron,  11,  38- 
42;  night  matrons,  42,  45;  matrons'  pen- 
sions, 322;  committee,  42;  stations, 
75-76;  investigation,  77,  126;  for 
women,  135;  detention  of  insane  in,  166, 
188. 

Political  Equality  League,  Chicago,  133- 
134,  168,  245.  320. 

Politics  in  Cook  County  charitable  insti- 
tutions, 311. 

Poor-houses,    children   in,    147. 

Popular  symphony  concerts,   315,   347. 

Practical  work,   40,   41,   42,   362. 

President's  annual  address,  1887,  61-63; 
1889,  69;  1891,  102;  1892,  124;  1894, 
136-138;  1895,  145-146;  1895,  150-151; 
1896,  171-172;  1897,  172-173;  1898,  181; 
1901,  243;  1902-03,  1903-04,  244-245; 
1906,  285;  1907,  284;  1909.  285;  1912, 
308-309;  1913,  323-324;  1914,  325-327; 
list  of,  V. 

President  of  United  States.  90-93,  216, 
247,  330,  356. 

Printing  Committee,   47. 

Prison  reform,  committee,  29,  277,  278, 
346. 

Prisoners'   friend   committee,   250,   373. 

Probation,  for  children,  177.  187-188,  189, 
205;  committee,  190,  191,  204;  law,  187- 
188;  officers,  188,  189,  190,  218,  229- 
230,  252,  371,  373. 


Programs  and  papers,  12,  25,  26,  27,  29, 
30,  32,  33,  39,  45,  46,  47,  48,  50,  65- 
66,  75,  77,  96-97,  127,  129.  147,  148, 
154,  205,  316,  218,  223,  228,  232,  236, 
237,  241,  268,  269,  270,  286,  287,  289, 
300,  311,  334,  346,  361. 

Program  committee,  101,  151,  204,  232, 
259,  290. 

Prostitution,    resolutions    against,    242. 

Protective  Agency  for  Women  and  Chil- 
dren, 11.  20,  363,  371.  372,  373,  375, 
376,  377,  378;  organization,  51-52,  66; 
independent  organization,  74;  benefit  for, 
74-75;  at  Columbian  Exposition,  107- 
108,  131,  153,  158;  consolidation  with 
Bureau  of  Justice,  164,  205,  245,  370. 

Protection  of   girls,    107,    131. 

Protection    of    machinery,    261. 

Psychological  investigation,  scholarship, 
376. 

Psychopathic   laboratory,    360;    work,    373. 

Public   Affairs  Committee,    326.   370,    375. 

Public    comfort   stations,    375. 

Public  drinking  fountain,   371. 

Publications,  Directory  of  Charitable  In- 
stitutions, 97,  129;  Suggestions  to  Vis- 
itors of  Institutions,  249,  373;  Christ- 
mas shopping  pamphlet,  253;  Neigh- 
borhood Improvement  Societies,  258; 
Chicago  Women  as  citizens,  289;  Ordi- 
nances you  ought  to  know,  297;  Rice 
Bulletin,  310;  Memorial  to  Mary  Lewis 
Matz,  310. 

Public  Baths  Committee,  302,   309. 

Public  guardian,  advisory  committee  to, 
194. 

Public  Library,  79,  228,  336,  344;  sub- 
stations, 245. 

Public  School  Art  Committee,  131,  300; 
pictures  in,  372. 

Public  School  Art  Society,  Chicago,  132, 
157,  158,  205,  245,  300,  348,  369,  372, 
377. 

Public  schools  as  social  centers,  216,  221- 
222,  299,  302,  306,  319-320,  334,  340, 
347-348,  370,  372,  373,  375,  376,  377. 

Public  School  Center  Committee,  254-255, 
302,  306. 

Public    Schools    Committee,    340. 

Public  schools,  sanitary  conditions  of 
204,  205,  250. 

Public  Service   Committee,   375. 

Public   Welfare  Bureau,    County,   335-336. 

Pure  Food  Committee,  290-291;  law,  322; 
state  bureau  of,  324. 


INDEX 


387 


R. 

Railway    terminals,    321. 

Reciprocal  information  to  clubs,  commit- 
tee on,  52. 

Recording  Secretary,  reports,  27,  30,  34, 
35,  36,  37,  43,  45,  52,  68,  69,  93,  126, 
131,  204,  205,  338,  339. 

Records  of   committees,   101. 

Recreation,  pier,  199;  public  recreation, 
247,  269,  303-304. 

Red  Cross,  159;  Christmas  seals,  287; 
committee,  335,  377,  345;  work,  342; 
sewing  room,  350,  351,  357,  369;  so- 
ciety, 329,  361-362;  Belgian  field  hos- 
pital, 369;  emergency  center,  369. 

Reformatory    for    Girls,    46,    313. 

Reform  Department,  study  classes,  165, 
359;  contributions,  374,  378. 

Reform  work,   375. 

Refuge  for  girls,  26,  372,  376. 

Relief  and   Aid   Society,   370. 

Removal  bill.   338. 

Rescue  and  Maternity  Home,  Chicago, 
372. 

Retrenchment  Committee,    240. 

Rogers  bill,  195,  205. 

Rooms,  free  use  of,  21,  44,  48,  50,  99, 
100,  134,  153. 


Saloons,  laws  to  prevent  admission  of 
minors  to,  219,  222;  raising  license  of, 
252. 

Salvation  army,   245. 

S'ane   Fourth   Association,   370. 

Sane  Christmas  crusade,   308. 

San  Francisco  earth-quake  relief,  248,  369, 
375;  San  Francisco  Woman's  Club,  369. 

Sanitary   Bureau,    308. 

Sanitation,  258;  committee  to  secure,  in 
schools,  204. 

Sanitation  instruction,  301. 

Sarah  Hackett  Stevenson  Memorial  Lodg- 
ing House,  370,  371,  373,  375.  377,  378. 

Saturday   afternoon  closing,    168,   253,   279. 

Scammon   School,   72. 

Scholarships,  Art  Institute,  11,  78-79,  175, 
189,  299;  Domestic  Science,  202;  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago,  175.  376,  187,  253, 
343,  370;  in  Public  Schools,  370,  371, 
372. 

School  as  social  center,  216.  319-320,  340, 
347-348,  370.  372,  373,  375,  376,  377; 
night.  218. 

School  Children's  Aid  Society,  82,  131, 
142-143,  144,  205,  363,  371,  373,  376, 
377.  378. 


School    Extension     Committee,     348,     371, 

372,    374.    375. 
School    Extension    Committee,    Permanent, 

255-257,  258,  303,  304,   320-321,  369,   371, 

372.  374. 

School,   Hinman,   Kentucky,   372,   373,  378. 

School  laws  committee,  204. 

School     management    committee,     251. 

School   nurses,   322. 

School,  State,  for  Girls  at  Geneva;  see 
Home,  Geneva. 

School    visitation    committee,    157,    250. 

School,    reform,    195;    laws,    269. 

Secret  societies  in  secondary  schools,  250. 

Segregated   vice,    against,   308. 

Settlements,   committee  on,  2O4. 

Sewing   In   public   schools,    93,    195,    204. 

Sex    Hygiene,   301. 

Shakespeare,  birthday,  157,  200,  281,  282. 
300,  332,  343,  376;  lecture  on,  206. 

Sister   Beatrice,   259. 

Sloyd,   53,   55.  74,  80. 

Smoke,  258,  270;  inspector,  270;  commit- 
tee on,  270. 

Social  affairs,   committee  on,   47. 

Social  centers,  schools  as,  216,  221-222, 
299,  302,  320,  334,  347,  370.  372,  373, 
375,  376,  377. 

Social  committee,  39,  167,  194,  196,  313. 

Social  meetings  and  receptions,  13,  33, 
34,  38,  39.  43,  47,  99,  103,  104,  105, 
108,  124,  134,  138,  153,  155,  156,  157, 
158,  166,  167,  170,  174,  194,  203,  226, 
228,  237,  241,  242,  279,  280,  283,  286, 
289,  292,  299-300,  310,  311.  328.  341, 
342,  369,  370,  372;  ball,  124.  125. 

Social    hygiene,    committee,    265-267,    301, 

373,  375. 

Social  purity,   27;   265-267,   371,   372. 

Social  settlements,  Hull  House,  37,  251, 
264,  289,  305,  306.  370;  Henry  Booth 
House,  259;  Armitage  Avenue,  259, 
267;  Esther  Falkenstein,  373;  Gad's 
Hill,  374;  Neighborhood  House,  157, 
370,  371,  375,  376;  South  End  House, 
259;  University,  373;  committee  on, 
204,  373;  book  social,  206.  372. 

Social   service    committee,    378. 

Social  work  in  play-grounds,  256,  303- 
304,  320,  321. 

South  Park  Board,  320,  336;  women  on, 
335;  Commissioners,  238,  247,  248,  249, 
269,  312,  314. 

Speakers  for  clubs  in  outlying  districts, 
375. 


388 


INDEX 


Special    Park    Commission,    200. 
Stanton,    Elizabeth   Cady,    156. 
State    Board    of    Charities,    250;     federa- 
tion  of    charities.    249. 
State    Education  Fund,    322. 
State  employment  law,    337. 
State  Home  for  Girls,   193,  207,   219,   222, 

230,    288-289,    319,    322. 
State   library   bill,   260. 
State   park,    312,    322. 
S'tate   school   for   feeble-minded,    319. 
State    University,     Illinois,     135-136,     194, 

247.    322. 

Story-telling,    256,    259,    303,    344. 
Street    trades,    301-302. 
Strike,    garment    workers,    286;    resolution 

on,    337. 

Students'    reference   bureau,   155,    169,   376. 
Study   class,    joint,   358;    united,    183,   205, 

224-225,    231,    257,    309,    346.    371. 
Sub-normal    young    people,    committee    on, 

341-342. 
Suffrage,  48,   127,   242,   308,   309,   310,   316, 

345-346,    357;    bill,    204;    township    bill, 

222;      Cook      County      Association,      51; 

men's    club,    252,    270;    municipal,    252, 

270,     370,    374;     state,     326,     377,    378; 

committee  on  equal,   318,   325,  369,  373, 

374,    377. 

Summer   schools,    376. 
Sunday    concerts,     Art    Institute,     293-294, 

323,    325-326,    340,     347.    373;    In    small 

parks,    312,    314. 
Sunday    closing,    105-107,    319. 
Sunday    lectures,    371. 
Superintendent   of    schools,    313,    314. 
Suttner,   Baroness  Bertha   von,  290,  311. 
Symphony   Orchestra,    Chicago,    229,    347. 

T. 

Tariff,   263. 

Teachers'  pensions,   state,   336,   337. 

Technical  high  school  for  girls,  Lucy  L. 
Flower,  291-292. 

Tenement  houses,  reform  of,  93;  condi- 
tions, 206. 

Ten-hour   law   for   women,    263,    322,    369. 

Theatre,  children's,  255,  260,  301-303; 
committee,  249;  independent,  239;  per- 
manent subscription,  239,  249. 

Thorpe   school,    348. 

Training  School  for  Nurses,  160,  166,  260. 

Travelers'   Aid  Home,   373,  378. 

Tree   planting,    199,    258;    committee,    258. 

Truant  Aid  Committee,  71-72,  benefit  per- 
formance for,  72,  73,  363. 

Truant  and  parental  schools,  158,  176,  180, 
188,  218,  221-222,  205.  260,  261. 


Tuberculosis  hospital,  230,  250;  institute, 
261,  262;  Christmas  stamps,  263;  isola- 
tion, 277;  camps,  371,  373. 

Tuskegee    Institute,    232,    372,    373,    376. 

Twentieth    Century    Club,    98. 

U. 

Unemployed,   bureau   for   the.   116. 

Unemployment,  causes  and  remedies,  118, 
349-354. 

Unity    Church    Industrial    School,    26. 

United    Charities,    322. 

United  study  class.  183,  205,  224-225, 
231,  257,  309,  369. 

University  of  Chicago,  346,  371;  wom- 
en's buildings,  129-130,  141,  147;  lec- 
tures, 228,  251,  265;  industrial  class, 
305. 

University   Settlement,    373. 

Usurious    interest,    bill    against,    242. 

Unitarian    Woman's    Club,    40. 

V. 

Vacation  savings   fund,   373. 

Vacation  school,  142,  182,  195,  204,  207- 
215,  218,  245,  269,  289,  292,  371,  372, 
374,  375,  376;  committee,  204,  245, 
256,  320. 

Visiting   institutions,    236,    373. 

Visiting    Nurse    Association,    267.    352. 

Vocational  guidance,  291-292,  299,  304-306, 
309;  school  committee,  291-292,  299, 
304-306,  309;  training  for  girls,  291- 
292,  304-306,  309,  333;  joint  committee, 
329,  370,  371,  373,  374,  375.  376,  377, 
378;  supervision,  349;  training  unit  sys- 
tem, 369. 

W. 

Washburn    School,    321,    348. 

Washington,    Mary,    fund,    370. 

Weekly   half-holiday    committee,    287,    319. 

West  Park,    No.   3,    304. 

West   Park    Commissioners,   256,    303,    314. 

West   Parks,    320-321;    civil   service,    322. 

Whittier   Home  Association,    228. 

Wife  abandonment  bill,   322. 

Willard,   Frances  E.,  38,  42,   58,   148. 

Woman's  building.    State   University,    194. 

Woman,  justice  of  peace,  262. 

Woman's  City  Club,   320. 

Woman's   club    cottage,    Park    Ridge,    274- 

276,    369,  371,    372. 
Woman's    civic    building,    358. 
Woman's   legislative   congress,   331. 
Woman's   Peace  Party,   336. 
Woman's    Christian   Association,    40. 


INDEX 


389 


Woman's     Christian     Temperance      Union, 

40,   42. 

Woman's  Exchange,   46,  98. 
Women   and    children,    laws   governing,    48, 

135,    158,    162,    190,    219,    220,    252,    260, 

261,    263,    322,    338. 
Women    in    industry,    235,    236.    251,    296, 

370. 
Women  on  park  boards,  302,  304,  320-321, 

335. 
Women  of   Tomorrow,    reprint  of   chapter, 

192. 
Women  police,  342. 


Women  physicians  for  women  in  institu- 
tions, 159. 

Women   teachers  at  Pontiac,    169. 

Women's  clubs,  origin,  57;  federation  of, 
58-61.  69,  88-89. 

Women's  League,   65-66,  363,   371. 

Women's  Physiological  Institute,  36,  37, 
40,  140,  362. 

Y. 

Youths'  Training  and  Employment  Asso- 
ciation, 65,  66. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 


